Same Day Voter Registration Passes House Consumer & Public Affairs

From the House Democratic Leadership:
Santa Fe, NM – A bill that would allow same-day voter registration was heard in House Consumer & Public Affairs this past week. HB 860, introduced by Rep. Jim Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), was passed on to the Voters and Elections Committee with no recommendation with a 6 to 0 vote.

House Bill 860 permits same-day registration in primary and general elections at a polling place in the county in which the voter resides. It would then allow the voter to cast a provisional ballot. Unlike other same-day registration proposals made earlier in the session [most of them now tabled], this bill would not require a photo or government ID to be presented.

Rep. Trujillo said, “Same-day voter registration will increase participation in our democracy. Everyone is very busy these days and it is important that citizens who want to vote be allowed to do so. This bill will also serve to increase the voter roles. Once someone registers they will be able to vote in all following elections. It’s important that we do every thing we can to bring people into the process.”

Eight states allow registration and voting on the day of an election. In New Mexico a voter must be registered 28 days before any type of election to qualify to vote in that election.