NM secretary of state bringing back straight party voting option (Bonus for Dems)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | August 29, 2018 | Dan Boyd

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE — New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced today she plans to bring back straight party voting for the Nov. 6 general election, a decision that’s expected to be challenged in court by the state Republican Party.

Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, informed county clerks about the move this morning and said in a statement it was intended to give more options to New Mexico voters.

“As secretary of state, I am committed to making it easier — not harder — for New Mexicans to vote,” Toulouse Oliver said. “From moms juggling work and kids to elderly veterans who find it hard to stand for long, straight-party voting provides an option for voters that allows their voices to be heard while cutting in half the time it takes them to cast their ballot.”

Former Secretary of State Dianna Duran, a Republican, eliminated straight party voting in 2012, saying the state election code did not specifically allow the practice.

The Secretary of State’s Office says state law gives Toulouse Oliver the authority to make the change, because a provision in law allows the secretary of state to decide the format of the paper ballots used in the election.

But critics of straight party voting say the practice gives an unfair advantage to major party candidates — especially Democrats — over those who are independent or affiliated with minor parties

A top state Republican Party official indicated earlier this year the GOP might pursue a court challenge if straight party voting is enacted, describing the move as a “potentially illegal power grab” by the secretary of state.

Overall, more than 1.2 million New Mexicans were registered to vote as of July 31, and Democrats hold a decisive edge in numbers.

[CedarDave]

Lazy, uninformed Dem voters will pull the lever instead of taking the time to look who is on the ballot. If it applies equally to judges, we'll get more like those that released the Muslim compound members this morning.

NM Registration:

• 570,542 Democrats — or about 46 percent of the state’s registered voters
  
• 378,695 Republicans — more than 30 percent of voters
  8,796 Libertarians, who also have major party status for this year’s election cycle.
  
• 284,000 - Voters who declined to state their political affiliation or are affiliated with minor political parties made up the remaining 23 percent of New Mexico voters.

[CedarDave]

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[Paladin2]

She should just make a rule that she will vote for all of them and then there won’t be all that hassle and expense of opening the polling places.

[Ancient Man]

Keeping it simple for the Drooling-Class.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

CedarDave :" Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, informed county clerks about the move this morning and said in a statement
it was intended to give more options to New Mexico voters. "

Was Soros money involved in the election of this New Mexico Secretary of State ?
I am aware that Soros wanted to influence control of those who count the votes...

[tennmountainman]

Changing rules 70 days before an election should be illegal.

[Jane Long]

A top state Republican Party official indicated earlier this year the GOP might pursue a court challenge if straight party voting is enacted, describing the move as a “potentially illegal power grab” by the secretary of state.

---

Might???

Well, that sounds scary.

Not!

Do it!!! Don’t just dosey doe around it, GOP.

[Jane Long]

Changing rules 70 days before an election should be illegal.

---

I agree!!

The GOP should be able to fight this one.

If they have any fight, that is.

[Pearls Before Swine]

“As secretary of state, I am committed to making it easier — not harder — for New Mexicans to vote,” Toulouse Oliver said.

After all, some of them can barely read, and most don't know who is running anyway. Why not give them a simple single checkbox? It makes party-line propaganda more effective.

As an aside, I'm not one to talk... I live in MA, and vote the Anything-but-Democrat line. Which, means I can occasionally find a Libertarian to waste my vote on.

[LegendHasIt]

Well, it isn’t as if anyone outside of NM District 2 is ever going to vote for a Republican again anyway, and most District 2 voters, (at least those south of Isleta and not in Las Cruces) can probably figure out which individual person they want to vote for.

(Sorry, all the good snarks were already posted)

[oldbrowser]

Is there a sexist issue here? There are more male voters on the republican side and more female voters on the democrat side.
This allows for sexist voters to pull the handle for the male side and thus discriminate against women.

[CoastWatcher]

This is another Demonic-rat scheme that will backfire. By the time it is implemented Trump will have the the nation back on track and will win the 2020 election in a landslide. This measure will ensure that no Demonic-rat will remain if office.