8.11.2014

This Week's Poll: Open Primaries for New Mexico?

Albuquerque - Should the New Mexico Legislature and Governor approve open primary elections? What seemed to be a dead issue in the last few legislative sessions has recently appeared to be a popular opinion item for politicos statewide. Democratic Party of New Mexico state chairman Sam Bregman has noted early support for an open primary system on account of being more inclusive to all voters. The Democrat's counterpart Republican party chairman John Billingsley does not support a change citing concerns over open primaries "diluting party principles." Albuquerque state representatives Bill O'Neill and Emily Kane are sponsoring legislation that will end the exclusion of registered Independents, Decline-to-state and other minor party members from future New Mexico primary elections. The usual suspects have weighed in from both sides but Governor Martinez's indication that she would support such legislation last week caught many by surprise, including Chairman Billingsley I am sure. Taxpayers who are eligible to vote but not registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties are continuously excluded from elections that they have paid for.

Weigh in on this important discussion on the upper right column right here at the New Mexico Politico or send me your comments for publication. I will include the results next week with our view.

New Mexico Politicos