By Gideon Elliot
That was the headline of the Santa Fe New Mexican this morning in an article by Steve Terrell, citing a new law intended to streanthen political parties' control of access to primary election ballots. With few exceptions, the legislation received little notice and Terrell reports "quietly sailed through the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Richardson."
But key provisions of HB 1156, titled "various election code changes," sponsored by Rep. Edward C. Sandoval (D-17), could possibly cause the Democratic Party to be barred from the ballot in the 3rd Congressional District if none of the candidates to replace Udall receive 20 percent of the delegate vote at the pre-primary nominating convention.
Prior to the enactment of the new law, candidates who failed to receive 20% of the vote at the pre-primary nominating convention could still get on the ballot by collecting additional petition signatures to present to the Secretary of State. Under the new law, candidates no longer have the option of submitting additional signatures to get on the ballot, making the pre-primary vote the deciding factor.
But with more than 5 candidates running for the Democratic nomination to replace Tom Udall, there is every possibility that none of them could receive the necessary 20% to get on the ballot.
At the core of this issue is the relationship between private organizations, which political parties are, and the state. Obviously, the parties want to have total control over who can (or cannot) be on their primary ballots. But for the state to assume that the party process is the only legitimate voice of party registrants and shut out those candidates who produce the signatures of rank and file Dems, seems to be a vote of confidence in the internal democratic processes of the parties and their ability to express the will of their membership. What then do we make of the fact that both the DPNM and the GOPNM replaced candidates who won their party's primary election?
That was the headline of the Santa Fe New Mexican this morning in an article by Steve Terrell, citing a new law intended to streanthen political parties' control of access to primary election ballots. With few exceptions, the legislation received little notice and Terrell reports "quietly sailed through the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Richardson."
But key provisions of HB 1156, titled "various election code changes," sponsored by Rep. Edward C. Sandoval (D-17), could possibly cause the Democratic Party to be barred from the ballot in the 3rd Congressional District if none of the candidates to replace Udall receive 20 percent of the delegate vote at the pre-primary nominating convention.
Prior to the enactment of the new law, candidates who failed to receive 20% of the vote at the pre-primary nominating convention could still get on the ballot by collecting additional petition signatures to present to the Secretary of State. Under the new law, candidates no longer have the option of submitting additional signatures to get on the ballot, making the pre-primary vote the deciding factor.
But with more than 5 candidates running for the Democratic nomination to replace Tom Udall, there is every possibility that none of them could receive the necessary 20% to get on the ballot.
At the core of this issue is the relationship between private organizations, which political parties are, and the state. Obviously, the parties want to have total control over who can (or cannot) be on their primary ballots. But for the state to assume that the party process is the only legitimate voice of party registrants and shut out those candidates who produce the signatures of rank and file Dems, seems to be a vote of confidence in the internal democratic processes of the parties and their ability to express the will of their membership. What then do we make of the fact that both the DPNM and the GOPNM replaced candidates who won their party's primary election?
My Vote is for Javier Gonzales for CD-3!
Posted by: Estevan Gonzales | November 19, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Bernie -
I really like your site for Ward 47a! Thank you for doing this good service for all of the Dems!
Posted by: Estevan Gonzales | November 19, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Bernie -
I really like your site for Ward 47a! Thank you for doing this good service for all of the Dems!
Posted by: Estevan Gonzales | November 19, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Love the site, can't believe you find the time to do this!!!!! Just want to give a little note of support to Ben Ray Lujan for CD-3. He has my family's votes.
Posted by: Jennifer Conn | November 24, 2007 at 02:37 PM
I support Javier Gonzales is the most qualifed candidate to represent us in Washington!
Posted by: Michelle A. Marmion | November 27, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Two votes, husband and wife, for Harry Montoya.
Posted by: The Neals | December 01, 2007 at 03:57 PM