2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 1 - Elections
Article 4 - Registration of Electors
Section 1-4-5.8 - Automatic voter registration; driver's license and agency registration and updates to registration.

A. In addition to the requirements of Section 1-4-47 NMSA 1978:

(1) a qualified elector registering to vote or updating an existing certificate of registration when conducting an in-person transaction to apply for or renew a driver's license or state-issued identification card shall not be required to provide a second time any information that duplicates information required in the driver's license portion of the transaction;

(2) the address of a voter who provides a different address when conducting an in-person transaction to apply for or renew a driver's license or state-issued identification card shall be updated on the voter's certificate of registration unless the voter declines to do so; and

(3) immediately at the conclusion of each in-person transaction to apply for or renew a driver's license or state-issued identification card, the person shall receive written notification by the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department informing the person if a voter registration transaction was processed, and if so, providing information regarding any voter registration transaction delivered to the county clerk by the motor vehicle division as a result of that application for or renewal of a driver's license or state-issued identification card.

B. In addition to the requirements of Section 1-4-48 NMSA 1978:

(1) the human services department shall develop procedures to be approved by the secretary of state to ensure that each benefit program administered by the department appropriately ensures that qualified electors receiving benefits are offered the opportunity to register to vote or update an existing certificate of registration without duplication of information contained by the department or by the secretary of state. No later than the last day of August of each calendar year, the human services department shall issue an annual report detailing implementation of the requirements of this paragraph. The report shall be sent to the legislative council service, the secretary of state and each county clerk; and

(2) no later than June 30, 2020 and upon the approval of the voting system certification committee, the secretary of state and the secretary of taxation and revenue shall develop a procedure for using the address provided as a taxpayer to update the registration address of a voter who has been identified as having moved from the voter's precinct of residence pursuant to Section 1-4-48 NMSA 1978. The procedure shall include a requirement of notification to the voter at least one hundred twenty days before an election of the intent to update the registration address and the ability for a voter to decline to permit the update to take effect.

C. If a person who is not a qualified elector becomes registered to vote pursuant to this section, that registration shall not be valid and the county clerk shall remove the certificate of registration from the register of voters.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 67, § 2.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 67 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.