Section 1-6-4 - Absentee ballot application; federal qualified elector; overseas voter. - New Mexico Statutes

1-6-4. Absentee ballot application; federal qualified elector; overseas voter.

A.     Application by a federal qualified elector or an overseas voter for an absentee ballot shall be made on the official postcard form prescribed or authorized by the federal government to the county clerk of the county of the applicant's residence.  The form shall allow the applicant to receive an absentee ballot for all elections within an election cycle. 

B.     Application by a voter for an absentee ballot shall be made only on a form prescribed by the secretary of state in accordance with federal law.  The form shall identify the applicant and contain information to establish the applicant's qualification for issuance of an absentee ballot under the Absent Voter Act [1-6-1 NMSA 1978]; provided that on the application form for a general election ballot there shall be no box, space or place provided for designation of the voter's political party affiliation.  

C.     Each application for an absentee ballot shall be subscribed by the applicant and shall require the applicant's printed name, registration address and year of birth to be supplied by the applicant, which shall constitute the required form of identification, except for new registrants who have registered by mail and at that time did not provide acceptable identification.  The secretary of state shall issue rules to exempt voters from submitting identification only as required by federal law and shall review and, if necessary, update these rules no later than March 15 of even-numbered years. 

D.     An application for an absentee ballot by a federal qualified elector or an overseas voter shall be accepted at any time preceding the general election.