New Mexico Legislature backs same-day voter registration

A bill that would allow same-day voter registration in New Mexico has been passed by the Legislature and is on its way to the governor.

The House and Senate on Thursday endorsed a final version of the bill that also expands automated registration services to new state agencies.

Democratic New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver advocated for the changes as a way to increase voter participation and clean up voter registration rolls.

Under current state law, voter registration closes 28 days before Election Day. Seventeen other states and the District of Columbia offer same-day registration.

Critics of the same-day registration fear it will eliminate safeguards against mistakes and fraud. Proponents say it works in other states and allows registration when public interest in elections is strongest.

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