Constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to incarcerated people passes first committee

[RandySF]

A proposed amendment to the New Mexico Constitution that would extend the right to vote to people incarcerated in state prisons passed its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday.

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted 5-3 along party lines in favor of House Joint Resolution 10, with Republicans in opposition.

HJR 10 would ask New Mexico voters to amend the State Constitution to remove criminal conviction for a felony as a constitutional restriction on eligibility to register to vote.

Sponsor Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) said HJR10 would affirm New Mexicans’ right to participate in democracy. Her expert witness, Selinda Guerrero with Millions for Prisoners New Mexico, said HJR 10 would fulfill the promise of the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.




https://sourcenm.com/2025/02/26/constitutional-amendment-to-restore-voting-rights-to-incarcerated-people-passes-first-committee/