Rep. John Block and Otero Senators Voted Against Open Primaries Bill

In yet another affront to open elections Rep John Block, Otero County and the two members of the state Senat voted against open primaries, via SB 16, for New Mexico. However the bill passed.

Thirty-five states have a version of open primaries; New Mexico is one of just 15 in the country that has closed or semi-closed primaries. A closed primary means an independent cannot participate in either the Republican nor Democratic primary. In a county such as Otero that leans heavily towards one party what that means is independent voters see disenfranchised or left out of many races. Many local races only have a party specific single candidate and don't have an opposition party candidate in the general election thus a majority may not get a say in the eventual winner. Independents and other non recognized parties make up about 35% of the registered voters in the state of New Mexico.

As of December 2024, 330,000 New Mexico voters, roughly a quarter of all voters in the state, were not affiliated with any of the state’s three major parties, which are Democrats, Republicans or Libertarians, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. And 40% of New Mexico voters aged 18 to 24 are unaffiliated.

The bill passed 36-33. It previously passed the Senate 27-11. It now heads to the governor’s desk. Gov. Grisham said a bill to make New Mexico’s primary elections open to independent voters is a “step in the right direction.”

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