Victory for Independent Voters New Mexico Governor Signs Open Primaries Bill Changing Elections Forever

The Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujane Grisham has now signed HB 16 into law and independent voters will have the freedom to participate in the most consequential elections. In county's such as Otero Count,  which has been dominated by one party rule where independents have not been able to participate in primaries, this is seen as the most consequential election bill in the state's history. 

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed SB 16 into law, a historic bipartisan reform that gives more than 330,000 independent voters which makes up nearly 25% of New Mexico’s electorate;  the right to vote in the state’s primary elections starting in 2026. This continues an overall nationwide trend of states opening their primary elections to more voters.

“New Mexico’s open primaries law will ensure that every eligible voter has a say in every taxpayer-funded election, not just those who choose to affiliate with a party,” said Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America an advocacy group that helped champion this legislation. “For too long, a quarter of New Mexicans have been locked out of their state’s primary elections — which in most cases are the only elections that matter. Ending closed primaries is an important step toward increasing participation and representation in our democracy.”

SB 16 passed with bipartisan support in both chambers, and supporters noted that the law would improve participation in New Mexico’s elections.

New Mexico Voters First and New Mexico Open Elections led the multi-year campaign to open the state’s primaries, spearheading a coalitionthat included NM Native Vote, Common Cause New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, University of New Mexico College Democrats, and the Veterans and Military Families Caucus.

“We have dedicated significant time and effort to building a strong coalition, engaging legislators, and mobilizing independent voters across New Mexico,” said New Mexico Voters First Executive Director Sila Avcil. “This progress would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our advocates. New Mexico deserves fair and representative elections, and I am honored to be part of this movement to pass SB 16.”

In 2024, 83% of New Mexico’s state house races were effectively decided in closed primaries where independents couldn’t vote. Votes cast in those 83% of general elections were meaningless because they had no bearing on the outcome. In fact, only 14% of New Mexicans cast meaningful votes last year. (A meaningful vote is a vote cast in a competitive election that actually determines the outcomes. Full methodology here.)

New Mexico’s SB 16 continues a nationwide trend of states opening their primaries. Over the past decade, Colorado and Maine have opened their primaries to independents, while Alaska voters went a step further by adopting open, all-candidate primaries. The number of states with closed primaries, where independents can’t fully participate, is now down to 16.

The governor had voiced her support of the bill ahead of signing it into law. She said New Mexico has not been able to effectively governand in order to do so the state needed policymakers who were willing to put in the work for voters.

She said open primaries will "give New Mexicans more opportunity" and added that she believed in the policy.

With the upcoming municipal elections this summer the first test on the power of independent voters in Otero County will be felts. Both parties are evaluating rather it will have an impact and how to cater messaging to moderate voters that vote as independent. 

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