Quick Reads
Open primary proposal advances from first committee
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The Roundhouse had heartening news Wednesday for a growing number of New Mexico voters who aren’t affiliated with a major political party and would like the state to end a primary election system that excludes them. Lawmakers on the House of Representatives’ State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted 6-3 to advance a bill that would allow all registered voters to cast ballots in primaries. Under the measure, independent voters and those registered with a minority party could simply request a ballot from one of the major parties, with no requirement to alter the party affiliation on their registration. It’s not the first time state legislators have considered such a measure. Previous efforts over the last five years have failed to reach the House or Senate floor for a vote, dying early in the committee process.