January 31, 2020 •
Santa Fe Campaign Disclosure Ordinance Ruled Constitutional
A federal judge in New Mexico ruled on January 30 that a Santa Fe ordinance requiring disclosure of campaign spending more than $250 on a ballot proposition is constitutional. Santa Fe Campaign Code 9-2.6, passed in 2015, states that a […]
A federal judge in New Mexico ruled on January 30 that a Santa Fe ordinance requiring disclosure of campaign spending more than $250 on a ballot proposition is constitutional.
Santa Fe Campaign Code 9-2.6, passed in 2015, states that a person or entity spending $250 or more in support or defeat of a ballot proposition must disclose all expenditures made and contributions received with the city clerk.
Senior U.S. District Court judge Judith C. Herrera’s ruling stems from a 2017 lawsuit brought by nonprofit Rio Grande Foundation.
The suit claimed that disallowing anonymous donations to the foundation was an infringement on free speech.
While the foundation argued that anonymity protects donors from potential harassment from those who disagree with the issues being advocated, the judge found that the disclosure requirements of the ordinance serve substantial governmental interests.
September 19, 2018 •
New Mexico School Districts Suffer from Local Election Act
Earlier this year, New Mexico passed the Local Election Act, which consolidates various nonpartisan local elections into one election in November of odd-numbered years. The law’s main goal is to save taxpayer money and increase voter turnout. However, local school […]
Earlier this year, New Mexico passed the Local Election Act, which consolidates various nonpartisan local elections into one election in November of odd-numbered years. The law’s main goal is to save taxpayer money and increase voter turnout.
However, local school districts are suffering. Albuquerque Public Schools are projecting $1 million in administrative costs to facilitate their upcoming bond election, because the new law states special elections must be completed by mail.
The Santa Fe School Board voted unanimously to ask the New Mexico School Boards Association and the other 88 school districts to request lawmakers amend the law and restore the School Election Law, allowing regular elections to resume in February, when they previously were held, or special elections by mail if needed.
October 30, 2017 •
Santa Fe City Council to hold Public Hearings on Campaign Finance and Procurement Code Bills
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures. On January 10, […]
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures.
On January 10, 2018, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill regarding procurement. If adopted, the bill regarding procurement would adopt the New Mexico procurement code as the purchasing manual for Santa Fe.
Both bills are available at the Santa Fe, New Mexico website.
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