As used in the Election Code [Chapter 1 NMSA 1978], "shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive.
History: 1953 Comp., § 3-1-3, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 240, § 3.
"May" is not infrequently used interchangeably with "must," and, as used in former section dealing with county canvass, imported an absolute obligation. Reese v. Dempsey, 1944-NMSC-039, 48 N.M. 417, 152 P.2d 157 (decided under former law).
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 1 - Definitions and General Provisions
Section 1-1-1 - Election Code.
Section 1-1-1.1 - Purpose of [Election] Code.
Section 1-1-2.1 - Ballot box key.
Section 1-1-3 - "Shall" and "may".
Section 1-1-3.1 - Election cycle.
Section 1-1-3.2 - Election observer.
Section 1-1-3.3 - Election-related organization.
Section 1-1-4 - Qualified elector.
Section 1-1-4.1 - Federal qualified elector.
Section 1-1-5.1 - Early voter.
Section 1-1-5.2 - Definition of a vote; machine-tabulated; hand-tallied; write-in.
Section 1-1-5.3 - Overseas voter.
Section 1-1-5.4 - Uniformed-service voter.
Section 1-1-5.5 - Power of attorney; prohibited use.
Section 1-1-5.6 - Ballot question.
Section 1-1-5.8 - Municipality.
Section 1-1-5.9 - Proper filing officer.
Section 1-1-5.10 - Qualified resident.
Section 1-1-5.11 - Special election.
Section 1-1-5.12 - Statewide election.
Section 1-1-5.13 - United States.
Section 1-1-6 - Recheck and recount.
Section 1-1-7 - Residence; rules for determining.
Section 1-1-7.1 - Residence for purpose of candidacy and signing of petitions; rule for determining.
Section 1-1-7.2 - Petitions; nominations; signatures to be counted.
Section 1-1-8 - Election returns.
Section 1-1-10 - Qualified political party.
Section 1-1-12 - Consolidated precinct.
Section 1-1-13 - Election board.
Section 1-1-16 - Registration officer.
Section 1-1-16.1 - Registration agent.
Section 1-1-16.2 - New registrant.
Section 1-1-17 - Person authorized to administer oaths.
Section 1-1-18 - Oath includes affirmation.
Section 1-1-19 - Elections covered by code.
Section 1-1-20 - Major fractions.
Section 1-1-21 - County chairman.
Section 1-1-22 - Computation of time; deadlines.
Section 1-1-23 - Unique identifier.
Section 1-1-24 - Required voter identification.