Governor Richardson Pledges $11 Million for New Mexico Voting Machines, Urges Standard System for all Counties

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson last week announced that he will work with the Legislature to provide $11 million over two years to purchase new voting machines for all New Mexico counties. The governor will propose a uniform system of machines with a paper trail that allow voters to verify how they voted.

"I am proposing a bold step forward by standardizing the election systems in all of New Mexico's 33 counties -- a standardized system relying on paper ballots that many vendors already provide, and that 11 of our counties are already exclusively relying on," Richardson said."

Currently, there is no statewide voting system standard. There are at least six different voting systems used throughout the state. Under Richardson's plan, all counties would use a paper ballot "marksense" system.

Attorney General Madrid added, "I applaud the governor's initiative in seeking to standardize voting in New Mexico with one uniform paper ballot verifiable system. I am hopeful this will provide needed voter confidence in our elections."

The governor's plan could save taxpayers as much as $27 million, according to the Governor's Office, because the Secretary of State estimates it would cost as much as $38 million to bring the state's current mix of voting machine systems into compliance with the law.

"It makes no sense to spend four-times the money, and end up with the same complicated mix of voting systems that only frustrate the voting public, complicate the efforts of our dedicated precinct boards, and worse, discourage New Mexicans from going to the polls," Richardson said.