New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver addressed the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on House Administration during a hearing titled “American Confidence in Elections: Looking Ahead to the 2024 General Election.” The session aimed to tackle the declining public confidence in election processes and outcomes.

Toulouse Oliver expressed concern over the growing distrust among citizens regarding election administration. "The alarming decline in public confidence about the administration and outcomes of elections in our country is of great concern to me both as an election administrator and as a citizen of our great nation," she stated.

She highlighted that while increased awareness about elections could lead to greater participation, it has also resulted in misinformation. This misinformation, according to her, has led to threats against election workers, political violence, and legal challenges. She described this as a "vicious cycle that must be mitigated for the good of our country."

In her testimony, Toulouse Oliver outlined three main objectives: addressing misunderstood aspects of election administration, detailing practices employed in New Mexico to build trust, and discussing broader strategies for enhancing voter confidence.

She pointed out historical factors contributing to mistrust in American elections but emphasized that current efforts should focus on rebuilding trust. One approach in New Mexico involves providing factual information about voting through partnerships with academic institutions like the University of New Mexico.

Toulouse Oliver noted misconceptions about ballot privacy and noncitizen voting as significant contributors to decreased voter confidence. She referenced a Heritage Foundation study reporting only 24 instances of noncitizen voting nationwide over two decades.

To combat misinformation, New Mexico created a centralized online resource called "Rumor vs. Reality" where voters can access accurate information. Additionally, a media campaign titled "Your Vote Counts, New Mexico!" was launched featuring local election officials explaining election integrity measures.

New Mexico's efforts have been recognized nationally; its election administration was ranked first by MIT’s Elections Performance Index. The state offers various voter access tools and security measures such as post-election audits and secure ballot dropboxes.

Toulouse Oliver concluded by expressing hope that New Mexico's model could serve as an example for other states seeking to enhance voter confidence.