Senator introduces non citizen voting bill

Bill Payne

 A Republican lawmaker wants New Mexico elections officials to check to ensure that noncitizens aren't registered to vote. 

Senate GOP Whip William Payne of Albuquerque, the No. 2 GOP Senate leader, has introduced legislation requiring the secretary of state to periodically check the state's voter registration rolls for noncitizens, who aren't allowed to vote. 

Secretary of State Dianna Duran, a Republican, has said she planned to ask the federal Department of Homeland Security for access to a database that has information on immigrants who are legally living in the country. 

In 2011, Duran's office said it found at least 100 people who appeared to be noncitizens. Her office compared voter registration files with driver's license data for foreign nationals and Social Security information.

Senator introduces non citizen voting bill