Section 1-2-27 - Watchers; appointment. - New Mexico Statutes

1-2-27. Watchers; appointment.

A.     The county chairman of each political party represented on the ballot may appoint in writing two watchers for each precinct.  If any county chairman fails to make the appointments, the precinct chairman of the political party may appoint in writing two watchers for the precinct.  If any precinct chairman fails to make the appointments, or if no person properly appointed is present at the polling place and offers to serve, the voters present belonging to that political party may appoint in writing two watchers.

B.     In a general election, a candidate for elected office and an election-related organization may appoint one watcher per polling place if the candidate or organization makes a written request to the secretary of state at least ten days prior to the election date and specifies the polling place to be watched and the name of the qualified appointee.  The secretary of state shall notify the county clerk of the qualified appointees at least five days before the election.  For the purposes of this section, "election-related organization" means an organization involved in voter turnout activities.

C.     In a primary election, any group of six candidates for county office for each political party participating in the election may appoint in writing an additional watcher for each precinct.  No candidate, however, shall join in more than one request for an additional watcher.

D.     In a primary election, any group of three candidates seeking nomination for statewide or district office may appoint in writing one watcher for each of those precincts as they may desire.  No candidate, however, shall join in more than one request for an additional watcher at any precinct.