Challenges shall be handled as follows:
A. if the challenge is unanimously affirmed by the presiding judge and the two election judges, the person shall be furnished a provisional paper ballot. The election clerks shall enter such voter's name in the checklist of registered voters, and the voter shall sign the voter's name in the signature roster. The word "Affirmed" shall be written opposite such voter's name under the challenge notation in the signature roster and checklist of registered voters, together with the number of the ballot so furnished; or
B. if the challenge is not unanimously affirmed by the presiding judge and the two election judges, the voter shall be allowed to vote, and the election clerks shall enter the words "Not Affirmed" under the challenge notation after the voter's name in the signature roster and the checklist of registered voters.
History: 1953 Comp., § 3-12-39, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 240, § 275; 1987, ch. 249, § 33; 1991, ch. 105, § 28; 2011, ch. 137, § 92.
The 2011 amendment, effective July 1, 2011, eliminated the requirements that the voter's name be announced, the challenged ballot be placed in an enveloped marked "Rejected", be placed in the ballot box, and not be counted, and required that the voter's name be entered in the checklist of registered voters together with the word "Affirmed".
The 1991 amendment, effective April 2, 1991, substituted "the signature roster and the checklist of registered voters" for "both signature rosters" at the end of Subsection B and made minor stylistic changes in Subsection A.
Limited discretion of election judges. — Territorial statutes gave election judges no discretion in the matter of counting or declaring ballots once received, though there was discretion at the moment a ballot was tendered. Territory of New Mexico ex rel. Lester v. Suddith, 1910-NMSC-068, 15 N.M. 728, 110 P. 1038.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Absentee voter, applicability of provisions of general election laws as to right to challenge, 132 A.L.R. 356.
Structure 2021 New Mexico Statutes
Article 12 - Conduct of Elections
Section 1-12-1 - Conduct of election; opening and closing of polls.
Section 1-12-2 - Conduct of election; precinct board [election board] attendance.
Section 1-12-2.1 - Precinct board [Election board] work shift option.
Section 1-12-3 - Conduct of election; precinct board [election board] duties.
Section 1-12-4 - Conduct of election; maintenance of order.
Section 1-12-4.1 - Conduct of elections; suspension of certain voter identification requirements.
Section 1-12-5 - Conduct of election; state police; other peace officers.
Section 1-12-6 - Conduct of election; memoranda of actions or omissions.
Section 1-12-7 - Conduct of election; persons not permitted to vote.
Section 1-12-7.1 - Voter lists; signature rosters; checklist of voters; use during election.
Section 1-12-7.2 - Voter whose name is not on list or roster.
Section 1-12-7.3 - Signature rosters and checklists of voters; contents.
Section 1-12-7.4 - Signature roster; checklist of voters; voter list; number; distribution.
Section 1-12-8 - Conduct of election; provisional voting.
Section 1-12-9.1 - Recompiled.
Section 1-12-10 - Conduct of election; voter's name, address and signature.
Section 1-12-10.1 - Conduct of elections; voting information.
Section 1-12-12 - Conduct of election; eligibility for assistance.
Section 1-12-13 - Conduct of election; aid or assistance to voter in marking ballot.
Section 1-12-15 - Conduct of election; persons who may assist voter.
Section 1-12-16 - Conduct of election; type of assistance.
Section 1-12-18 - Conduct of election; disclosure of vote.
Section 1-12-19.1 - Recompiled.
Section 1-12-20 - Conduct of election; interposing challenges.
Section 1-12-21 - Conduct of election; challenges; entries.
Section 1-12-22 - Conduct of election; challenges; disposition.
Section 1-12-23 - Conduct of election; voting machines; instructions.
Section 1-12-25.1 - Procedures for voting on electronic vote tabulator systems.
Section 1-12-25.3 - Provisional paper ballots; required information.
Section 1-12-25.4 - Provisional paper ballots; disposition.
Section 1-12-26 - Conduct of election; closing polls.
Section 1-12-27 - Conduct of election; arrival of voter after closing time.
Section 1-12-28 - Conduct of election; election certificate.
Section 1-12-29 - Conduct of election; counting and tallying; who may be present.
Section 1-12-29.1 - Qualifying provisional, absentee and other paper ballots.
Section 1-12-30.1 - Voter lists; signature rosters; disposition after the polls close.
Section 1-12-31 - Conduct of election; disposition of ballot boxes and other election materials.
Section 1-12-32 - Conduct of election; return of ballot boxes and election materials.
Section 1-12-33 - Conduct of election; office of county clerk to remain open.
Section 1-12-34 - Conduct of election; copies of election return certificates.
Section 1-12-37 - Conduct of election; voting machines; verification of returns.
Section 1-12-39 - Conduct of election; voting machine; completion of locking procedures.
Section 1-12-42 - Conduct of election; employees; time to vote.
Section 1-12-43 - Emergency situations.
Section 1-12-51 - Paper ballots; unauthorized receipt or delivery of paper ballot.
Section 1-12-55 - Paper ballots; marking.
Section 1-12-57 - Paper ballots; procedure after marking.
Section 1-12-59 - Viewing marked paper ballot.
Section 1-12-61 - Removal of paper ballots from polling place.
Section 1-12-62 - Paper ballots; spoiled or defaced.
Section 1-12-63 - Election judges; unused paper ballots.
Section 1-12-65 - Emergency situations; paper ballots; counting and tallying procedures.
Section 1-12-67 - Paper ballots to be placed in ballot box.
Section 1-12-68 - Paper ballots; county canvass; when recount is required.
Section 1-12-69 - Disposition of paper ballots.
Section 1-12-70 - Reporting of vote totals by precinct; voting data maintained by precinct.