Signature requirements for ballot measures in New Mexico
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This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in New Mexico. In New Mexico, citizens can initiate veto referendums.
Requirements
In New Mexico, the number of signatures needed to place a veto referendum on the ballot is equal to 10 percent of the total number of votes cast in the previous general election. To suspend the law until voters address the veto referendum, signatures equal to 25 percent of the total number of votes cast in the previous general election are required.
Below are the signature requirements that referendum proponents must meet to get their initiatives on the ballot in that year.
| Year | Veto referendum without suspending law | Veto referendum with suspending law |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 92,829 | 232,072 |
| 2024 | 71,475 | 178,689 |
| 2022 | 92,823 | 232,058 |
| 2020 | 70,165 | 175,413 |
| 2018 | 80,407 | 201,018 |
| 2016 | 51,944 | 129,859 |
| 2014 | 78,652 | 196,629 |
| 2012 | 60,770 | 151,925 |
See law: New Mexico Constitution, Article IV, Section 1
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for veto referendums (10 percent of the general election vote) from 2012 through 2026.
Basis for calculation
In New Mexico, the number of signatures needed to place a veto referendum on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast in the preceding general election. The following are numbers of votes cast in each general election:
| Year | Votes cast in general election |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 928,290 |
| 2022 | 714,754 |
| 2020 | 928,230 |
| 2018 | 701,654 |
| 2016 | 804,073 |
| 2014 | 519,436 |
| 2012 | 786,514 |
| 2010 | 607,700 |
Distribution requirement
In New Mexico, signatures must come from three-fourths (25) of the state's 33 counties.
Signature deadlines
In New Mexico, signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session in which the targeted law was approved. Furthermore, signatures need to be filed at least four months before the general election to appear on the ballot for that election.
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | July 3, 2026 |
| 2024 | July 5, 2024 |
| 2022 | July 8, 2022 |
| 2020 | July 3, 2020 |
| 2018 | July 6, 2018 |
| 2016 | July 8, 2016 |
| 2014 | July 4, 2014 |
| 2012 | July 6, 2012 |
See also
- Laws governing the referendum process in New Mexico
- List of New Mexico ballot measures
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in New Mexico
External links
Footnotes
