2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 1 - Elections
Article 2 - Election Officers and Boards
Section 1-2-27 - Watchers; appointment.
A. An election-related organization may appoint watchers in a county if the organization provides a written notice to the secretary of state at least ten days prior to the election date and specifies the names of the qualified appointees. The secretary of state shall notify the county clerk of the qualified appointees at least five days before the election.
B. Any group of three candidates for elected office may appoint watchers in a county if the candidates provide a written notice to the secretary of state at least ten days prior to the election date and specify the names of the qualified appointees. The secretary of state shall notify the county clerk of the qualified appointees at least five days before the election.
History: 1953 Comp., § 3-2-25, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 240, § 46; 1975, ch. 255, § 26; 2003, ch. 377, § 1; 2005, ch. 270, § 14; 2011, ch. 137, § 25.
The 2011 amendment, effective July 1, 2011, eliminated the right of county chairmen to appoint watchers; eliminated the restriction on the number of watchers that may be appointed; required candidates to give the secretary of state notice at least ten days prior to the election of their appointment of watchers; and required the secretary of state to notify county clerks of the appointment of the watchers at least five days before the election.
The 2005 amendment, effective July 1, 2005, in Subsection B, changed the deadline for when the secretary of state shall notify the county clerk of the qualified appointees from ten to five days; and deleted "a nonpartisan" in the definition of "election-related organization".
The 2003 amendment, effective June 20, 2003, redesignated former Subsections B and C as present Subsection C and D and added present Subsection B.
Third party entitled to watcher in municipal election. — A third party ticket in a municipal election is entitled to have its own watchers provided it follows the outlined procedure. 1949-50 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 50-5290.
Candidate for office is not disqualified from serving as party watcher, and he may act as such during counting of the ballots. 1943-44 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 44-4609.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 25 Am. Jur. 2d Elections §§ 91, 92.
29 C.J.S. Elections §§ 59, 60.