2015 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 1 - Elections
Section 2 Election Officers and Boards
Section 1-2-32 State canvass observers.

1-2-32. State canvass observers.

A. The state chair of each political party represented on the ballot may appoint in writing state canvass observers. A candidate for elected office and an election-related organization may each appoint state canvass observers if the candidate or organization makes a written request to the secretary of state at least ten days prior to the election date and specifies the names of the qualified appointees.

B. State canvass observers shall be voters of the state. No person shall be qualified for appointment or service as a state canvass observer who is a sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal or state or municipal police officer.

C. The state canvass observer or election observer, upon presentation of the observer's written appointment, shall be permitted to be present at any time from the time the state canvassing begins until the completion of the canvass.

D. A state canvass observer or election observer is strictly limited to observing and documenting the canvassing process, and shall not interrupt the canvassing process.

E. State canvass observers shall not interfere with the orderly conduct of the canvass and may be removed by the secretary of state if the observer does not comply with the law.

F. As used in this section, "state canvass" means the process of examining election returns and certificates issued by the county canvassing boards and ending with the certification and announcement of the results by the state canvassing board.

History: Laws 2011, ch. 137, 11.