FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alissa Barnes
alissa@progressnownm.org
SANTA FE, N.M. — Today the New Mexico Voting Rights Act Coalition held a press conference alongside several state lawmakers. The press conference highlighted an omnibus voting rights bill that is expected to be filed sometime this week. The bill will remove unnecessary barriers for New Mexicans who wish to exercise their freedom to vote.
The livestreamed event, still available to view on Facebook, included speakers from OLÈ (Organizers in the Land of Enchantment), NM Native Vote, ACLU-NM, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Speaker Javier Martínez, and House Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey, who all described the significance of improved electoral access for eligible New Mexico voters.
The NM Voting Rights Act is common sense legislation that will remove unnecessary barriers for New Mexicans wishing to register to vote and cast a ballot. The bill’s components include: improved secure automatic voter registration, restoration of rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, critical updates to the Native American Voting Act, creation of an opt-in absentee ballot list, enhanced protections for voter data, and making Election Day a school holiday.
“Our democracy is strengthened when people from all backgrounds are empowered to participate in it, especially through voting,” says Oriana Sandoval, CEO for the Center for Civic Policy. “In a time when we are witnessing relentless attacks on our democracy and election denialism, we must take steps to protect our voting rights. This bill will do that by improving access to voting and making it easier for historically disenfranchised communities to become involved in civic engagement. We commend Secretary of State Toulouse Oliver, Speaker Martinez, Senator Duhigg and House Majority Floor Leader Chasey for their leadership and commitment to strengthening our democracy.”
With the reforms provided through the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, New Mexico can be an example to the nation for what democracy and elections should look like in our country. By passing this bill, New Mexico would take a big step forward to modernize and secure our state’s elections. Restrictive measures unfairly impact people of color, tribal communities, working families, the elderly, students, and people with disabilities, leaving them without the opportunity to vote for candidates that will support policies that are important to them.
Two community advocates spoke during the press conference highlighting two of the Voting Rights Act components: restoration of rights and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
“Civic engagement is how I have broken the cycle of recidivism for myself,” says Justin Allen, Inclusive Democracy Organizer for OLÈ. “Every citizen should have a voice and the ability to participate in fair and safe elections regardless of social or economic status; every citizen should have the ability to represent themselves. My right to vote means that I am a full citizen and that I belong in this community. By passing the Voting Rights Act, we are making our elections more accessible and ensuring that every citizen has the representation and human dignity we deserve.”
Regarding the Native American Voting Rights Act, Ahtza D. Chavez. Executive Director, NM Native Vote, says,“Native Americans face obstacles at every turn throughout the political process. This bill will increase voter participation and access across the state by addressing many of these barriers with provisions for Native American voters, while also protecting and expanding the right to vote to every eligible New Mexican voter.”
The New Mexico Voting Rights Coalition looks forward to working alongside the bill sponsors during the 2023 legislative session to pass this critical legislation.
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The New Mexico Voting Rights Act Coalition is composed of the following organizations and still growing.
| ACLU-NM | NEA-New Mexico |
| American Federation of Teachers New Mexico | New Mexico Black Leadership Council |
| CAVU (Climate Advocates Voces Unidas) | New Mexico Voices for Children |
| Center for Civic Policy | New Mexico Wild |
| Citizens Caring for the Future | New Mexico Working Families Party |
| Common Cause NM | NM Dream Team |
| Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico | NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice |
| Conservation Voters New Mexico | NMAFC |
| Creciendo Nuevo México | NOISE FOR NOW |
| Do Good LLC | OLÉâ |
| Dreams in Action NM | Organizers in the Land of Enchantment |
| El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos | Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico |
| El CENTRO Poder y Acción | ProgressNow New Mexico |
| Empowerment Congress of DAC | Sierra Club – Rio Grande Chapter |
| End Citizens United//Let America Vote Action Fund | Somos Acción |
| Equality New MExico | Stand Up America |
| Former Oregon State Legislator | SUCCESS Partnership |
| Forward Together Action | The Semilla Project |
| Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks | The Sentencing Project |
| League of Women Voters of New Mexico | The Workers Circle |
| Naeva | Together for Brothers |
| National Vote at Home Coalition |
