SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s Supreme Court is considering competing proposals to increase reliance on absentee balloting by mail in efforts to safeguard public health and voting rights in the state’s June 2 primary. Arguments took place Tuesday with some participation by videoconference.
The pace of coronavirus infections in New Mexico is expected to peak in late May under current statistical modeling by state health officials. That puts the pandemic on a collision course with the primary vote.
Republicans want the state to distribute absentee ballots by request only. Democrats want mail-in ballots sent out to all registered voters.