What are Referendum Petitions?
NM’s Constitution allows the people to challenge laws that are passed by the legislature.
If we can get enough petition signatures, the Bills are required to be put on the ballot at the next General Election (which is in Nov 2024).
Aiming for 15,000 signatures for Doña Ana County (180,000 statewide) by June 16, 2023 to stop bills from taking effect and put on ballot for Nov 2024 general election.
Failing that, another option is to collect 72,000 signatures statewide over a year. With this option, Bills still take effect but are put on ballot in Nov 2024 for general election.
Look This Up Before You Sign
Your voting precinct
How your name is listed on your voter registration
How your address is listed on your voter registration
https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx
Health Bills
HB7
Unrestricted access to abortion or transgender services for minors without parental consent
Strips municipalities of the right to restrict access to abortion and gender transitioning services
Penalizes teachers, nurses, etc with $5,000 fine if they “interfere” with access to abortion or gender transitioning services by telling parents
Does not allow people to opt-out of participation due to moral or conscience objections
SB13
Protections for out-of-state providers and patients who come to New Mexico for abortions or gender-changing procedures
Violates free speech protections by silencing electronic communications related to abortion or transgender procedures
Gives no age restrictions or requirements for parental notification for minors to receive abortion or transgender services
SB397
Increases funding for school-based health clinics and expands access to abortion and gender-changing procedures on school grounds
$3 million in “recurring” taxpayer funds for the Dept of Health to operate and expand “school-based health clinics”
Clinics offer sexual and “reproductive health” services
Clinics expected to include elective transgender procedures without parental involvement or consent
Election Bills
SB180
Forces counties to use internet-connected poll books
Requires all special elections to be performed by absentee voting
Removes safeguards around having a minor serve on an election board
Prevents release of election information to public
HB4
Allows convicted felons to vote immediately upon release (even if still on parole)
Mandates increased use of drop boxes
Creates a permanent absentee voter list
Automatic voter registration through MVD and state agencies
