Section 3-9-6 - Form of absentee ballot; form of absentee ballot envelopes. - New Mexico Statutes

3-9-6. Form of absentee ballot; form of absentee ballot envelopes.

A.     The form of the absentee ballot shall be, as nearly as practicable, in the same form as prescribed by the municipal clerk for other ballots.  However, to reduce weight and bulk for transport of absentee ballots, the size and weight of the paper for envelopes, ballots and instructions shall be reduced as much as is practicable.  The ballots shall provide for sequential numbering.

B.     Absentee ballots and envelopes shall be delivered by the printer to the municipal clerk not later than thirty-five days prior to the date of the election to be held.

C.     The municipal clerk shall prescribe the form of:

(1)     official inner envelopes for use in sealing the completed absentee ballot;

(2)     official mailing envelopes for use in returning the official inner envelope to the municipal clerk;

(3)     absentee ballot instructions, describing proper methods for completion of the ballot and returning it; and 

(4)     official transmittal envelopes for use by the municipal clerk in mailing absentee ballot materials.

D.     Official transmittal envelopes and official mailing envelopes for transmission of absentee ballot materials to and from the municipal clerk and overseas voters and federal qualified electors shall be printed in black in the form prescribed by postal regulations and the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.  Official transmittal envelopes and official mailing envelopes for transmission of absentee ballot materials to and from the municipal clerk shall be printed in green in substantially similar form.  All official inner envelopes shall be printed in green.

E.     The reverse of each official mailing envelope shall contain a form to be signed by the person completing the absentee ballot.  The form shall identify the person and shall contain the following statement:  "I will not vote in this election other than by the enclosed ballot.  I will not receive or offer any compensation or reward for giving or withholding any vote.".