Democracy for New Mexico

WE DID IT! Election Reform Bill On Governor's Desk

RED LETTER DAY: It's being reported that Governor Richardson will sign the bill today or tomorrow. Thanks to all the legislators, analysts, staffers, citizen lobbyists, phone callers, email senders, letter writers and progressive and election reform groups who worked so hard on this effort! We'll be doing a more formal thank you soon, but for now, you know who you are!

From the :

SANTA FE - An election reform bill backed by Gov. Bill Richardson cleared the Legislature with just hours remaining in the annual session.

The Senate went along with changes to the bill made by the House, which had approved it 39-26 after more than three hours of debate Friday. Republicans tried unsuccessfully to toughen its voter ID provisions.

The bill includes a requirement that New Mexicans provide some identification at the polls and a mandate that voting machines have a paper trail.

The House vote was nearly party-line, with Democrats supporting the bill and Republicans opposing it.

Rep. Edward Sandoval, D-Albuquerque, called it "landmark legislation."

"This bill will make New Mexico's election process more accurate and timely and make voting more user-friendly for New Mexico voters," he said.

Republicans were less enamored with the proposal.

"It's a small step but it isn't voter ID. It is voter ID with a wink and a nod," said Rep. Justine Fox-Young, R-Albuquerque.

Acceptable voter identification under the measure includes a photo ID, a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck, or student or tribal ID.

But the legislation also allows voters to simply provide _ either verbally or in writing _ their name, year of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

--Continue reading .

Bush Event in Albuquerque on Tuesday

President Bush reportedly will be arriving in Albuquerque on Monday night and appearing at a so-called town hall meeting on Tuesday morning at the Kiva Auditorium at the Convention Center downtown. He'll be pushing his Social Security reform measures, including private accounts. You can imagine how diverse the crowd will be at the orchestrated and carefully screened event.

I called the NM Republican Party today just for kicks and the woman I spoke with wanted to take my name for a waiting list for tickets. She also asked if I had gotten an email about the event, apparently to check to see if I was on their insider mailing list. I didn't bother to leave my name as I imagine the first thing they'll do is check your voter registration! I did find out that doors at the Civic Center will open at 6:15 AM on Tueday so people can go through the very strict security.

There are rumblings of a protest in the making outside the Convention Center on Tuesday morning. I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

GREAT NEWS: Election Reform Bill SB678 Passes NM House!

From Bob Stearns and the Roundhouse Gang:
Fellow Believers, SB678 with Voter Verified Paper Ballot and Automatic-Audits passed the House today (FRIDAY) by a 39-26 partisan vote, after a 3-hour debate beginning at noon.

Numerous Republicans supported V.V.P.B. and Audits but voted against the bill because of strong differences with the Democrats on the Voter ID issue. The bill, already passed by the Senate, now goes to the Governor.

Our success in getting VVPB and Audits into this legislation came from all the effort all you activists have put in over the past year and especially during this Session.  Take a break and pat yourselves on the back. Well done!
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Editor's Note: I heard from Dory Shonagon that this bill will have to go into what is known as "concurrence" on the Senate Floor. Because the version of the bill passed by the House had a number of amendments that weren't included when the bill passed the Senate, they'll have to OK it again before it heads to the Governor. Since the Legislative Session ends at Noon tomorrow, there's still a slight chance that it won't pass out of the Legislature on time. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

The Arctic Refuge Debacle: Keeping Strong in Tough Times

The following message is from Stephen Capra, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance . If you attended Albuquerque's DFA-DFNM Meetup earlier this month, you'll remember Steve's moving presentation and film on preserving Otero Mesa. I hope you'll support the important work of his group by becoming a member and perhaps donating some volunteer hours. Every dollar and every hour helps.

Yesterday, was a sad, but far from conclusive vote on the fate of America's crown jewel, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I was in Washington when the final votes were counted and I can tell you that many people like myself who have worked on this issue for over 20 years, were disappointed, but realized that the fight is far from over. Still, sitting in the Wayburn wilderness house just a few blocks from the capitol with about one hundred other arctic activists it was a sobering moment that spoke to the clear ideological divide that we now confront.

The vote on the Arctic was not about oil, but about the power of the Bush-Cheney Administration and punishment to the conservation community that has fought this Administration for the past five years trying to hold on to the many pieces of conservation legislation and wildlands that have been the cornerstone of our quality of life in America.

As the Executive Director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, it could logically be argued by you as members that the Arctic Refuge is not our organizations priority. That would be correct. Our mission remains the protection, creation and restoration of wilderness in New Mexico. But sometimes there are places of such special value, that they come to symbolize what our movement and commitment are all about, the Arctic Refuge is just such a place. The Arctic issue will not be our organization’s focal point, but nor will we stay silent or give up on this special place.

Like many of you, I have never been to the Arctic Refuge. But that did not stop me from walking from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide in 1990 to raise awareness and speak to groups about protecting the refuge. It has not stopped people from riding bikes across America, even fat tire beach bikes to say this place must be protected. It has not stopped school kids from raising thousands of dollars to fight development. It has not stopped the Gwitch’in people for fighting for their way of life. It has not stopped people from following the great herds of caribou on their migration, filming them and sharing their unique perspective, mosquitoes and all!

From grade school kids to senior citizens, from former Supreme Court Justice William O-Douglas to Marty and Olaus Murie there continue to be generations who love and have fought to protect this wild place. I am writing today to say the fight is not over. I am asking for you to roll up your sleeves and make sure our very important New Mexico delegation understands how important this debate is to you. Make sure papers around the state understand how important this debate is to you.

In order for drilling to start, the Senate will have to pass a budget, something they have not done in the past five years. The facts surrounding drilling in the refuge continue to make clear there is no logic in moving forward. Many questions about who would get the oil and why we are not moving towards a serious energy plan, that focuses on alternative energy solutions for America continue. But if we sit by idly, this Administration and their friends in the oil and gas industry will push forward in the Arctic and ultimately our wildest New Mexico lands. The time has come to say NO!

Flying back from Washington last night I reflected on how the Arctic Refuge had so personally affected my life and so many others. Like the Great Plains of old, this magical place still holds wildlife in numbers and species that remain hard to comprehend. When I think of plans to drill the Refuge, I am reminded of the decision to build Glen Canyon dam back in the early sixties. Many have wondered if just a few more years had passed, would the powers that be have ever built it? Was the gain in power generation, worth the loss of such wildness? For many the answer is clearly no.  Today, we are confronted with another Glen Canyon type saga; only the amount of power generation is likely far less. With the Arctic Refuge, my hope is that we can all look back and say we made the right choice for future generations- we chose wildness.

Please get involved and let our Senators hear from you today, meet with them on their annual recess and send a letter to the editor of your local paper. We are setting up an informal group of volunteers to be involved on issues related to the Arctic Refuge, if you are interested contact Nathan Newcomer at Nathan@nmwild.org.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Many Saturday Peace Events on Second Anniversary of Iraq War

There are events nationwide and in many area communities Saturday, on the second anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. Check out the Coming Events listing on the right-hand sidebar on this page to see what's happening in your neck of the woods. Click on the listings for more information.

According to United for Peace and Justice:

At least 726 towns and cities, in all 50 states - an unprecedented number - are holding anti-war events, in a reflection of the growing breadth of the anti-war movement. This is more than double the number of anti-war actions on the first anniversary of the war last year.

Click to download UPJ's event leaflets.

You can get a blue Wage Peace bracelet from the American Friends Service Committee. You can also sign their Iraq Peace Petition to be delivered to Congress and President Bush.

Code Pink is organizing a Peace Ribbon Project that honors the victims of the war in Iraq by creating a memorial to the fallen soldiers and Iraqi civilians who have died as a result of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Their goal is to create a remembrance panel for each life that has been claimed by the war. The panels will be tied together in chronological order and displayed around the U.S. to remember and honor those who have died. You can create a panel or contribute to one being created by someone else.

ABQ Events Celebrate Women in History Month

**Exhibit Title: "The Feminist Paper Doll Show"

Description: In celebration of Women in History Month, OFFCenter is  hosting a paper doll exhibit in order to remember and honor unsung women  of the past, as well as our favorite contemporary feminists, who have  contributed to a more just world. Paper cut-out dolls, clothes, homes, work places, etc. and accessories, of all sizes will be on display.

Exhibit runs through March 31, 2005.

Where: OFFCenter Community Arts Project, 808 Park Ave SW, downtown  Albuquerque. CALL: 247-1172 for more information.

**Panel Title: "Beyond the Seventies: Critiquing The Impact of Feminist  Art Today."

Date: Saturday, March 19, 2005 1-4 PM

Description: Please join Rose Buffalo in welcoming Lucy Lippard, Tey  Marianna Nunn, Virginia  Hampton and Barbara Grothus for a lively panel  discussion about the influence feminist artists have made historically  and whether or not  their work supported or disrupted the status quo.  Music by Bonny Bluhm and light refreshments. Experience OFFCenter's  community art studio and  gallery exhibit, "The Feminist Paper Doll  Show."

Where: OFFCenter Community Arts Project, 808 Park Ave, SW.  Call: 247-1172 for more information, Free, Donations accepted.

Panelists include: Lucy Lippard is a nationally known art critic & writer, Tey Marianna Nunn, Director of Hispanic  Folk Art Museum, Santa Fe, Virgina Hampton, TVI instructor, writer, works thru Out ch'Yonda and Barbara Grothus, artist, community activist  Rose Buffalo, panel moderator, artist, activist.

Election Reform Bill SB678 on House Floor Agenda Today

From Bob Stearns:
Hi All, The House floor calendar for today (FRIDAY) March 18th, lists our Election Reform Bill SB678 as item #55 on a 73-item agenda for Third Reading of Legislation. House scheduled to go into session on the floor at 9 AM.

Major Victory in Election Reform Effort!

From Bob Stearns and All:
A major advance toward victory this morning! The House Voters & Elections Committee passed SJC Sub Bill 678, with some amendments that do not affect its VVPB and Automatic Audit provisions. The bill stands in for HB1063, and now goes to a vote on the House Floor.

Again, please phone your House lawmakers, and the House leadership to urge passage of SB678. Leadership consists of:

Speaker Ben Lujan of Santa Fe at 986-4782
Dem Majority Leader Rep. Ken Martinez of Grants at 986-4777
Repub Minority Leader Rep. Ted Hobbs of Albuquerque at 986-4757

A salute to Senators Linda Lopez and Gerry Ortiz y Pino who presented SB678 to the HVE Committee and to the 13 activists who came to show our support. Among the amendments to SB678 was one striking out the provision that the SoS can ask for the full estimated cost of a recount before it is undertaken.

Verfied Voting New Mexico: https://vvnm.org

DemocracyFest II Set for June in Austin

Are any of you planning on going to DFA's second annual DemocracyFest? Mary Ellen and I have registered and paid. If you want to attend, now is the time to complete your registration. Sounds like a terrific event:

From :

SB678 on House Voters & Elections Agenda Today

According to Charlotte Roybal:
The election reform bill passed by the Senate will be heard in the House Voters and Elections committee this morning, which starts at 8 AM. It sounds like SB678 will be the bill and that HB1063, Rep. Ed Sandoval's bill, will be dropped. There are changes in the bill to look out for. I'm sure the Santa Fe contingent will keep us posted.

Also, according to Leland Lehrman of Santa Fe's Mother Media:
In an interview with Billy Sparks, Governor Richardson's Press Secretary, Mother Media has learned that the Governor is "encouraged" by the passage of the Senate Election Reform bill. This bill contains Voter Verifiable Paper Trails, Automatic Machine Audits, Protection for Provisional Voters and is known as Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for 678, 718 et al.

Information from Senator Ortiz y Pino's legislative aide Harry Pavlides indicate that the Governor has publicly weighed in with the Congressional leadership indicating his support for this Senate Election Reform Bill. According to Pavlides, the bill is "wired," short-hand for set to pass. 

Mother Media has endorsed the bill and will broadcast live three minute updates from the Roundhouse on KTRC 1260 AM Santa Fe. Look for us at the top of the hour from 11AM - 4PM. We will directly follow Air America news.

The House Voters and Elections Committee will meet today, Thursday, at 8AM to vote on the bill and it will probably make it to the House floor for a full vote late today or early Friday morning. Mother Media encourages citizens to come to the Roundhouse to catch the action in person.

While amendments sponsored by the Republicans have made it into the Senate bill, it remains possible the Republicans will vote against it en masse today. Democrats are not likely to defect, so a party line vote in Voter and Elections would send the bill to the House floor for a full vote.

Opinions differ regarding whether the House will be more difficult to pass than the Senate, but senior sources indicate that it will be a terrific battle. The debate in the Senate lasted three hours. It remains essential that citizens in favor of election reform and voter protection call their Representatives to urge support for this bill. The Capitol Switchboard phone is 505.986.4300, legislators can be found on the web at https://legis.state.nm.us.

Provided the bill clears the  House, the final step will be clearing the final Senate Committee to which it is referred. It will probably go to the Senate Judiciary Committee which already passed it 5-4 in a party line vote. Judiciary Committee Chairman Cisco McSorley has been an ally of Election Reform from the beginning.