Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2014
Senator Bill O’Neill and Representative Emily Kane to Introduce Legislation Welcoming Independents to Primaries
Santa Fe, NM – This Thursday, August 7th, State Senator Bill O’Neill (D-13-Bernalillo) and State Representative Emily Kane (D-15-Bernalillo) will hold a press conference on the corner of Central and Yale at the University of New Mexico Campus in Albuquerque at 10:30 a.m. to announce their plans for co-sponsoring legislation that will open primary participation to Decline to State (DTS) and Independent voters, starting in 2015.
“I am very concerned about not including this important segment of our state electorate in our primary process,” Rep. Kane said. “As I walk District 15 for my upcoming November election, I am always struck with just how many independent voters there are, especially among the young. We should not deny their participation in public policy simply because they do not want to be affiliated with either party.”
Thus far, both lawmakers have seen an array of support of their proposal from several individuals and organizations. A statement from The League of Women Voters of New Mexico (LWVNM) expressed full backing for the proposition proclaiming they believed independent voters should be allowed to participate fully in New Mexico’s primary elections. “This is an extremely important proposition, given that 240,000 of New Mexico’s currently registered voters are declined to state (DTS) aka independents,” stated Meredith R. Machen, President of LWVNM.
“Common Cause New Mexico strongly supports allowing DTS and Independent voters the right to vote in primary elections in New Mexico,” added the Common Cause’s Executive Director, Viki Harrison. “This is especially critical considering that the number of voters registering as DTS or Independent has tripled since 1982, from 7 percent to 22 percent of registered voters. Opening the primary election to all registered voters can help combat the apathy many people feel and hopefully will help move towards engaging them in public debate surrounding issues that are important to New Mexicans.”
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bernalillo County Clerk and candidate for Secretary Of State, has voiced her support of this legislative initiative as well. “Throughout my time in public service, a top goal has always been to increase participation in our electoral process. I firmly believe that our democracy is strongest when the widest, most diverse array of voices are heard at the ballot box and that’s why I support opening New Mexico’s primaries to voters not affiliated with a major party.” Toulouse Oliver said. “I look forward to working with the legislature to ensure that any changes to current election law are fully vetted and reach the goal of providing greater access to the ballot box for more New Mexicans.”
Sen. O’Neill has long advocated for this position within his Democratic ranks, and believes that such a measure is very much in line with past electoral reform bills of his, such as his anti-gerrymandering state constitutional amendment that he will continue to introduce. “If you believe that everything is hunky dory with our current way of conducting primaries, then this bill is not for you. But, if you recognize that the abysmal turnout in our own June Democratic primary suggests that a change might be in order, then you understand why Representative Kane and I are introducing this legislation,” he said.
“It is generally acknowledged that turnout in New Mexico’s primary elections in both parties is at an all time low. In 1994, another mid-term election, 47.5 percent of New Mexico registered voters participated in the June primary elections. In 2014, 20 years later, only 20.2 percent showed up at the polls,” Sen. O’Neill continued. “Those of us active in my party have to acknowledge the validity in a voter’s choice to refuse partisan affiliation. At the same time, we should have enough confidence in our Democratic message to invite these same voters into our primary process.”
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