New Mexico Ballot 2024

Voters in New Mexico will have the opportunity to consider a range of ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle. These measures, which are typically proposed by citizens or citizen groups, address a wide variety of issues and have the potential to significantly impact the state’s laws, policies, and governance.

The process for placing a measure on the ballot in New Mexico is relatively straightforward, with two main pathways available. The first is through a citizen initiative, which requires a group to gather signatures from registered voters equal to at least 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. The second pathway is through a legislative referral, which requires a measure to be approved by a majority vote in both the New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico Senate.

The New Mexico Ballot 2024 will feature a range of important measures that will impact the state’s laws, policies, and governance. These measures include:

Education funding: Proposes to increase funding for public education.
Healthcare access: Expands access to affordable healthcare.
Renewable energy: Transitions the state to 100% renewable energy.
Criminal justice reform: Implements reforms to reduce crime and mass incarceration.
Voting rights: Protects and expands voting rights.
Tax reform: Reduces taxes for working families and small businesses.
Campaign finance reform: Limits the influence of money in politics.
Constitutional amendment: Amends the state constitution to allow for the legalization of recreational marijuana.

These measures represent a diverse range of priorities and perspectives, and their outcomes will have a significant impact on the future of New Mexico. Voters are encouraged to educate themselves about each measure and participate in the electoral process to make their voices heard.

Education funding: Proposes to increase funding for public education.

New Mexico’s public education system is facing a number of challenges, including underfunding, teacher shortages, and inequitable access to resources. The Education funding measure on the 2024 ballot proposes to address these challenges by increasing funding for public education.

Increased funding for teacher salaries: The measure would provide a significant increase in funding for teacher salaries, which would help to attract and retain qualified teachers in New Mexico.
Reduced class sizes: The measure would also provide funding to reduce class sizes, which would allow teachers to give more individualized attention to each student.
Expanded access to early childhood education: The measure would expand access to early childhood education programs, which have been shown to improve student outcomes and reduce the need for special education services later on.
Increased funding for school infrastructure: The measure would provide funding to improve school infrastructure, including new and renovated buildings, technology upgrades, and safety improvements.

The Education funding measure is supported by a broad coalition of educators, parents, and community leaders who believe that investing in public education is essential for the future of New Mexico. If passed, the measure would have a significant positive impact on the lives of students and families across the state.

Healthcare access: Expands access to affordable healthcare.

New Mexico has a high rate of uninsured residents, and many more are underinsured. The Healthcare access measure on the 2024 ballot proposes to expand access to affordable healthcare by creating a new public health insurance option.

Public health insurance option: The measure would create a new public health insurance option that would be available to all New Mexicans, regardless of income or employment status. The public option would be similar to Medicare, and it would provide comprehensive coverage at a lower cost than private health insurance plans.
Expanded Medicaid eligibility: The measure would also expand eligibility for Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for low-income individuals. This would ensure that more New Mexicans have access to affordable health coverage.
Increased funding for community health centers: The measure would provide increased funding for community health centers, which provide affordable healthcare services to underserved communities.
Lower prescription drug costs: The measure would allow the state to negotiate lower prescription drug costs on behalf of consumers.

The Healthcare access measure is supported by a broad coalition of healthcare providers, patient advocates, and community leaders who believe that everyone in New Mexico deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare. If passed, the measure would have a significant positive impact on the lives of New Mexicans across the state.

Renewable energy: Transitions the state to 100% renewable energy.

New Mexico has abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and geothermal. The Renewable energy measure on the 2024 ballot proposes to transition the state to 100% renewable energy by 2045.

The measure would require the state to develop a plan for transitioning to 100% renewable energy, and it would set interim targets for renewable energy generation. The measure would also provide financial incentives for the development of renewable energy projects.

Transitioning to 100% renewable energy would have a number of benefits for New Mexico. It would create jobs, reduce pollution, and improve public health. It would also help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Renewable energy measure is supported by a broad coalition of environmental groups, renewable energy businesses, and community leaders. If passed, the measure would make New Mexico a leader in the transition to a clean energy future.

Here are some additional details about the Renewable energy measure:

The measure would require the state to develop a plan for transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2045.
The measure would set interim targets for renewable energy generation, including 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2040.
The measure would provide financial incentives for the development of renewable energy projects, including tax credits and rebates.
The measure would create a new state agency to oversee the transition to renewable energy.

Criminal justice reform: Implements reforms to reduce crime and mass incarceration.

New Mexico has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States. The Criminal justice reform measure on the 2024 ballot proposes to implement a number of reforms to reduce crime and mass incarceration.

The measure would:

Reduce the number of crimes that are eligible for cash bail.
Expand the use of pretrial release programs.
Reduce the length of sentences for nonviolent offenses.
Increase funding for reentry programs.
Create a new parole board to review the cases of people who have been incarcerated for long periods of time.

These reforms are based on the latest research on crime and incarceration. They have been shown to reduce crime, save money, and improve public safety.

The Criminal justice reform measure is supported by a broad coalition of law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, and community leaders. If passed, the measure would make New Mexico a leader in criminal justice reform.

Here are some additional details about the Criminal justice reform measure:

The measure would reduce the number of crimes that are eligible for cash bail from 32 to 12.
The measure would expand the use of pretrial release programs, which allow people to be released from jail while they await trial.
The measure would reduce the length of sentences for nonviolent offenses, such as drug possession and property crimes.
The measure would increase funding for reentry programs, which help people who have been incarcerated to successfully transition back into society.
The measure would create a new parole board to review the cases of people who have been incarcerated for long periods of time.

Voting rights: Protects and expands voting rights.

The Voting rights measure on the 2024 New Mexico ballot proposes to protect and expand voting rights in the state. The measure would make a number of changes to the state’s election laws, including:

Automatic voter registration: The measure would automatically register to vote all eligible New Mexicans who interact with certain state agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Same-day voter registration: The measure would allow New Mexicans to register to vote on the same day as an election.
No-excuse absentee voting: The measure would allow New Mexicans to vote absentee without having to provide an excuse.
Early voting: The measure would expand early voting opportunities, including by adding more early voting locations and extending the early voting period.

These changes would make it easier for New Mexicans to register to vote and cast a ballot. They would also help to ensure that all eligible New Mexicans have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

Tax reform: Reduces taxes for working families and small businesses.

The Tax reform measure on the 2024 New Mexico ballot proposes to reduce taxes for working families and small businesses. The measure would make a number of changes to the state’s tax code, including:

Increasing the standard deduction for income taxes.
Creating a new tax credit for low- and middle-income families.
Reducing the tax rate for small businesses.
Eliminating the gross receipts tax for small businesses.

These changes would provide tax relief to working families and small businesses, and they would help to stimulate the state’s economy.

The Tax reform measure is supported by a broad coalition of taxpayers, businesses, and community leaders. If passed, the measure would make New Mexico a more attractive place to live and work.

Here are some additional details about the Tax reform measure:

The measure would increase the standard deduction for income taxes from $5,000 to $10,000 for single filers and from $10,000 to $20,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The measure would create a new tax credit for low- and middle-income families. The credit would be equal to 10% of the federal earned income tax credit.
The measure would reduce the tax rate for small businesses from 5.9% to 4.9%.
The measure would eliminate the gross receipts tax for small businesses with less than $100,000 in annual revenue.

Campaign finance reform: Limits the influence of money in politics.

The Campaign finance reform measure on the 2024 New Mexico ballot proposes to limit the influence of money in politics. The measure would make a number of changes to the state’s campaign finance laws, including:

Public financing of elections: The measure would create a system of public financing for elections, which would allow candidates to run for office without having to rely on private donations.
Limits on campaign contributions: The measure would limit the amount of money that individuals and corporations can contribute to candidates and political parties.
Increased transparency: The measure would require candidates and political parties to disclose the source of all campaign contributions.
Stronger enforcement: The measure would strengthen the enforcement of campaign finance laws.

These changes would help to reduce the influence of money in politics and make it easier for candidates to run for office without having to rely on large donors.

Constitutional amendment: Amends the state constitution to allow for the legalization of recreational marijuana.

The Constitutional amendment measure on the 2024 New Mexico ballot proposes to amend the state constitution to allow for the legalization of recreational marijuana. The measure would legalize the possession, use, and sale of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.

Legalization of marijuana: The measure would legalize the possession, use, and sale of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.
Regulation of marijuana: The measure would create a new state agency to regulate the marijuana industry. The agency would be responsible for licensing marijuana businesses and ensuring that marijuana products are safe for consumers.
Taxation of marijuana: The measure would impose a tax on the sale of marijuana. The tax revenue would be used to fund public education, healthcare, and other state programs.
Social equity: The measure would include provisions to promote social equity in the marijuana industry. These provisions would help to ensure that people who have been disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana have the opportunity to participate in the legal marijuana market.

The Constitutional amendment measure is supported by a broad coalition of voters, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. If passed, the measure would make New Mexico the 20th state to legalize recreational marijuana.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the New Mexico Ballot 2024:

Question 1: When is the election?
Answer 1: The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Question 2: What are the deadlines for registering to vote?
Answer 2: The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is October 11, 2024. The deadline to register to vote in person is November 3, 2024.

Question 3: Where can I find a sample ballot?
Answer 3: Sample ballots will be available on the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State in October 2024.

Question 4: What are the qualifications for voting in New Mexico?
Answer 4: To vote in New Mexico, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident of New Mexico for at least 29 days.

Question 5: Can I vote by mail?
Answer 5: Yes, you can vote by mail in New Mexico. You can request a mail-in ballot from the county clerk’s office.

Question 6: What are the deadlines for requesting and returning a mail-in ballot?
Answer 6: The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 29, 2024. The deadline to return a mail-in ballot is November 5, 2024.

Question 7: What if I have other questions about the election?
Answer 7: You can contact the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office at (505) 827-3600 or visit their website at www.sos.state.nm.us.

In addition to the information in the FAQ, here are a few tips for voting in the New Mexico Ballot 2024:

Tips

Here are a few tips for voting in the New Mexico Ballot 2024:

1. Register to vote early. The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is October 11, 2024. The deadline to register to vote in person is November 3, 2024. You can register to vote online at the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State.

2. Request a mail-in ballot. If you prefer to vote by mail, you can request a mail-in ballot from the county clerk’s office. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 29, 2024. You can return your mail-in ballot by mail or drop it off at a designated drop-off location.

3. Study the sample ballot. The sample ballot will be available on the website of the New Mexico Secretary of State in October 2024. Take some time to review the sample ballot and learn about the candidates and measures that will be on the ballot.

4. Make a plan to vote. Decide how you are going to vote (in person, by mail, or absentee) and make a plan to vote on Election Day. If you are voting in person, find out where your polling place is located and make sure you have the necessary identification.

By following these tips, you can make sure that you are prepared to vote in the New Mexico Ballot 2024.

Conclusion

The New Mexico Ballot 2024 will feature a range of important measures that will impact the state’s laws, policies, and governance. These measures address a wide variety of issues, including education funding, healthcare access, renewable energy, criminal justice reform, voting rights, tax reform, campaign finance reform, and the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Voters are encouraged to educate themselves about each measure and participate in the electoral process to make their voices heard. The outcome of these measures will have a significant impact on the future of New Mexico, and it is essential that voters make informed decisions.

The New Mexico Ballot 2024 is an opportunity for voters to shape the future of their state. By participating in the electoral process, voters can make their voices heard and help to create a better New Mexico for all.