A bill that would expand voter access in New Mexico has stalled in committee because not enough senators showed up to vote on it, and all business pertaining to it has been halted.
Senate Bill 8 would make Election Day a holiday for public schools, give felons the right to register to vote when they’re released, allow for mail-in ballots yearly, and make absentee ballots available only by request, according to the text of the bill. Republicans, however, put the brakes on the discussion on Feb. 13.
“I move for a call in the Senate on Senate Judiciary Committee Substitute for Senate Rules Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 8 and all action pertaining to this bill,” Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) said during the session, according to a news report from KRQE.
Seven Republican senators supported the move, which prevented the chamber from doing anything with Senate Bill 8. The bill requires all 42 members of the Senate to be present before they can discuss or vote on the bill.
Senator Jacob Candelaria, an independent, and Republican Sen. Gregg Schmedes did not appear in the Senate for the discussion. The bill has been controversial for minority party members, and some have voiced their opposition to it, according to the KRQE report.