Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Announces Plan to Protect and Expand Voting Rights

Last week, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a bold proposal that will protect voting rights and make it easier for New Mexicans to vote in fair and free elections.

Gov. Lujan Grisham announced the plan alongside Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on the anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. One year after the attack posed a severe threat to democracy, the proposals in the new plan will maintain the strength and integrity of New Mexico’s democratic process by making it easier for voters to cast their ballots.

The proposal includes measures like expanding online voter registration, increasing voter protections for Native voters, and creating a permanent, voluntary absentee ballot request list. The proposal also extends early voting and designates Election Day as a state holiday.

Gov. Lujan Grisham said, “Protecting voting rights is essential to upholding our democracy and ensuring New Mexicans’ voices are heard. On this somber anniversary of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, an anti-democratic attempt to overturn a free and fair election, we are reminded that it is more important than ever to safeguard access to the ballot box. While voting rights are under attack across the country, New Mexico is taking every action to protect and expand them.”

“Gov. Lujan understands that our democracy is stronger when more people participate in it,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “In announcing this proposal to expand voting rights, Gov. Lujan Grisham is empowering and enfranchising countless New Mexicans, while standing up to GOP’s desperate attempts to cling to power by restricting ballot access. Gov. Lujan Grisham continues to champion progressive solutions to critical issues and we look forward to reelecting her next year.”