The New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) is speaking out in opposition to House Bill 4, also known as the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, after it was passed in the New Mexico House by a 41-26 vote on Tuesday. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Democrat-controlled State Senate.
According to the Democracy Docket, New Mexico Democrats first introduced the omnibus pro-voting bill on January 27. A similar bill supported by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D) was introduced during the 2022 legislative session but failed to pass. A Source New Mexico article reported that Toulouse Oliver believes that the current version of the bill is better than 2022's “because it has really been spearheaded and brought to life by the advocacy community.”
The NMBC published a letter arguing that House Bill 4 would endanger both voting rights and voting system integrity in ways such as mandating state agencies to automatically register voters without their consent.
"New voters would have to opt-out – after the fact," wrote NMBC President Carla Sonntag. "This is a violation of certain rights, such as religious and privacy, and is dangerous for voting system integrity."
While proof of citizenship is required to vote, the automatic registration mandate includes New Mexico residents who may not be living in the state or country legally, which increases the likelihood of non-U.S. citizens being registered to vote. Those who do not provide documentation of citizenship are still allowed to affirm it and register at the state's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
House Bill 4 would also fully restore voting rights to, and allow for applications to restore rights for, felons prior to completion of parole and/or probation.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, but they should first complete all requisite terms of their sentence. And then request their voting rights be restored," Sonntag wrote.
According to the official NMBC website, the organization aims to "make New Mexico a better place to live and work by seeking reasonable laws, regulation, and leadership that will promote job creation and allow businesses to grow. "