FGGAM News just received this news release from Bernalillo County:
New Mexico Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Bernalillo, Santa Fe County Commissions
Court orders advisory questions be placed on ballot
Bernalillo County – The New Mexico Supreme Court today ruled in favor of the Bernalillo and Santa Fe County Commissions on two pending election cases, ordering the New Mexico secretary of state that advisory, nonbinding questions must be placed on the ballot in those counties. Both commissions voted to place the questions on the ballot earlier this month.
The court also ordered the secretary of state to cooperate with both county clerks to help get the election process underway as soon as possible. Some absentee ballots are scheduled to be mailed out soon for overseas voters.
“This is a victory for democracy and the voters of Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties,” Commission Chair Debbie O’Malley says. “I want to thank the New Mexico Supreme Court for upholding the ability of county commissions across New Mexico to govern what appears on the county ballot. I’m also looking forward to hearing from the voters on two issues impacting our community: Whether we should invest in better mental health treatment and whether we should support state and federal efforts to decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.”
On Monday, the commission voted to take legal action against the secretary of state and enforce the commission’s right to decide what appears on the ballot.
The commission earlier this month voted to place two advisory, nonbinding questions on the Nov. 4 county election ballot.
One question asks voters if they favor a new gross receipts tax to fund comprehensive mental health services. The other asks if the voters favor the Bernalillo County Commission supporting efforts to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
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