Most of the fines assessed by the secretary of state's office for violations of New Mexico's campaign finance reporting laws go uncollected.
The office collected only 4 percent of the nearly 2,000 fines levied against candidates during the 2012 and 2014 primary and general elections.
The newspaper reviewed campaign finance data obtained through a public records request. It found Secretary of State Dianna Duran waived more than a third of fines and more than 60 percent went uncollected.
State law allows for Duran to refer delinquent fines to the state attorney general's office for investigation and possible prosecution. None had been referred as of the end of the January.
Campaign finance watchdog groups say they're concerned lax enforcement could compromise accountability among elected officials.
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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com
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