Section 3-8-63 - Contest of elections; who may contest; status of person holding certificate; filing of complaint. - New Mexico Statutes

3-8-63. Contest of elections; who may contest; status of person holding certificate; filing of complaint.

A.     Any unsuccessful candidate for election to any municipal office may contest the election of the candidate to whom a certificate of election has been issued. Twenty percent of those people who voted at the municipal election may contest the election on a question.   

B.     In case of a contest of an election, the person holding the certificate of election shall take possession and discharge the duties of the office until the contest is decided. If a contest of a question occurs, the question shall be considered passed or defeated according to the official certificate of canvass of the election filed by the municipal clerk in the official records of the municipality until the contest is decided.   

C.     Any action to contest an election shall be commenced by the filing of a verified complaint of contest in the district court. Such complaint shall be filed no later than thirty days from issuance of the certificate of election to the successful candidate or thirty days after completion of canvassing for elections in which there are no candidates for municipal office. A copy of the petition shall be served on the municipal clerk, and the municipality shall be afforded an opportunity to intervene in the contest. The one instituting the action shall be known as the contestant and the one against whom the action is instituted shall be known as the contestee. The rules of civil procedure shall apply to all actions commenced under the provisions of this section.