Democrats push to keep straight-party balloting

From the Santa Fe New Mexican.com - Since the late 1960s, New Mexico voters have been able to vote a straight-party ticket -- picking all Democrats or all Republicans -- in general elections. However, the straight-party option isn't listed anywhere in the state election code, and some Democrats fear the option will disappear by the November general election.  What apparently stirred those fears is that the secretary of state, Dianna Duran, is a Republican -- the first Republican in that office since 1930. Duran says straight-ticket voting isn't authorized -- and, she argues, isn't permitted -- under current law.  The Senate on Thursday voted 26-12 in favor of a bill that would make the straight-ticket ballot option part of state law. The vote on Senate Bill 218 was along party lines, with all Democrats for it and all Republicans against it.  Even if the bill makes it through the House, however, there probably is trouble ahead for the legislation. Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, doesn't support the proposal, a spokesman said Wednesday. Read more

Democrats push to keep straight-party balloting