HTownAg98 said:

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If you would read the article, it would say why. it comes straight from the SOS.

For those asking, here's the requirements in New Mexico. https://www.sos.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Primary-Candidate-Guide-Updated.pdf

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The section which lists the offices for which petitions are required does NOT mention US Senate. P 27.

Page 30. @Candidates who seek, but do not receive pre-primary convention designation may still qualify to appear on the ballot in the primary election by collecting additional signatures."

Signatures required for Democrats is 2,505; for Republicans it is 2,351. It would appear that if a party nominated someone to run for US senate, that a minimum number of signatures are not required.

BusterAg said:

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Thanks for all of that. It was actually a facetious question, and wasn't really directed at you.

I think that the idea that rules and regulations codified by a state are actually optional for agencies to follow is an extremely stupid position to take, even when others take that position.

I will make the comment that no where in your post is there legal code specifically giving the SOS the right to determine that certain signatures are invalid.

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I couldn't find one either, but for statewide and federal races, everything gets sent to the NM SOS for approval. If someone wants to make the argument that the SOS doesn't have the authority to determine if a signature is valid, they're welcome to file a lawsuit and do so. I can tell you about how far I think that argument would get.

Are you indicating her decision on signature validity cannot be questioned?

Of course not. In fact, there's a procedure in the election code to challenge it. I can't find it at the moment, but remember reading something along the lines that if a candidate is rejected by the SOS, they have 10 days to challenge that finding. The point I'm making above is that a lawsuit filed that says the SOS has no authority to determine the validity of signatures would go nowhere very fast.

Roger that.

The Collective said:

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Is it possible the GOP screwed up here? It seems like an easy bar to clear to be qualified.

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Looks like one acknowledged he didn't have enough signatures. Don't know about the others. It's possible the others were candidates that don't have a chance winning because the couldn't get enough signatures. Won't know until they file a challenge.

As I hope I suggested, there doesn't appear to be any great conspiracy here. I am trying to find out more about this individual and have reached out to people who should know. The session ends on 2/19 so maybe I will know something after. It does warm my heart to know forum 16 cares about the Land of Enchantment.

Dorm 15 said:

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As I hope I suggested, there doesn't appear to be any great conspiracy here. I am trying to find out more about this individual and have reached out to people who should know. The session ends on 2/19 so maybe I will know something after. It does warm my heart to know forum 16 cares about the Land of Enchantment.

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Your welcome! I keep my eye on NM, CO, AZ, KS, NE, & TN because I have relatives in all those states. I would love to see NM swing back to red because it would really piss off my very liberal SIL!

BusterAg said:

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So, let me get this straight.

For election law, you have to have signatures for:

1) getting on the ballot in a state run by a dem SOS.

But not for:

1) Mail in ballots
2) The envelopes on the outside of mail in ballots
3) Election tabulator machine daily count sheets, which would normally require two signatures from witnesses as well.

How come when something like this happens to a Dem, it is easily "cured", but when something like this happens to the GOP, it is automatically and irreversibly fatal?

Second question:
Under what grounds were the signatures rejected? If the SOS is making the determination which signatures to reject, couldn't he just reject as many as he needed to for everyone but the person he wants to win? That sure seems to be the case here.

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If anyone could get on the ballot without having to provide signatures from supporters, I wonder how many people would appear on the primary ballots? Hundreds? Thousands?

Imagine if Democrats tried to poison the Republican primaries by getting a thousand Democrats on the Republican primary ballot. With the right name, you could have a Democrat running as a Republican in the general election.

It seems perfectly reasonable to require some minimum number of signatures to be on the primary ballot. It is hard to see why any Republican could honestly oppose it.

The best way to keep the Democrats in power is too cheat. Point taken.

Exactly. While I do not know of a case where that has happened, I am very aware of individuals changing their Party designation because they knew running as their previous one gave them no chance. By the way, it worked.

https://newmexico.gop/2026/02/12/statement-from-chairwoman-barela-congratulating-candidates-who-have-officially-qualified-for-the-2026-pre-primary-convention-ballot/

This is just an update.

new mexico repubilcan chair is clearly working with the democrats against democracy.

Quote:

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At the same time, we must address the positions that were not filled due to candidates who did not qualify. We made repeated outreach efforts to candidates who were short on signatures and offered assistance. In several instances, those efforts were met with little or no response. We stand ready to help any Republican willing to put in the work but we can only help when help is requested and when communication is open.

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How?

New Mexico, same as the Old Mexico...

KentK93 said:

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Dorm 15 said:

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As I hope I suggested, there doesn't appear to be any great conspiracy here. I am trying to find out more about this individual and have reached out to people who should know. The session ends on 2/19 so maybe I will know something after. It does warm my heart to know forum 16 cares about the Land of Enchantment.

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Your welcome! I keep my eye on NM, CO, AZ, KS, NE, & TN because I have relatives in all those states. I would love to see NM swing back to red because it would really piss off my very liberal SIL!

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My wife and I are actually planing to move there so we will be doing our part.

I look forward to the incredulity and disbelief from my fellow conservatives on here.

And not a word about it on the MSM. If the roles were reversed there'd be rioting and congressional hearings. Republicans are *******!

ts5641 said:

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And not a word about it on the MSM. If the roles were reversed there'd be rioting and congressional hearings. Republicans are *******!

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I think it's safe for us to assume that if the Democrats didn't have the sigs, policing that would not have happened.

But maybe the locals can prove me wrong on that.

Why can't they just file? Why do they need signatures to get on a ballot? After a deadline, I get it. But in a regular timeframe why can't they just file like in almost every state?

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Redistricting2021/Documents/NM_Counties_2020_Official_table.pdf

With very few exceptions, the rural counties are very Republican. Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and suburbs of those counties being Democrats. Dona Ana County is Democrat but not quite as strong as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Turning "Red" might be difficult but "Purple" is definitely attainable. I have been here 40 years and think it's a great place. By the way, Bienvenidos to Nuevo Mexico !!!

Dorm 15 said:

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Redistricting2021/Documents/NM_Counties_2020_Official_table.pdf

With very few exceptions, the rural counties are very Republican. Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and suburbs of those counties being Democrats. Dona Ana County is Democrat but not quite as strong as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Turning "Red" might be difficult but "Purple" is definitely attainable. I have been here 40 years and think it's a great place. By the way, Bienvenidos to Nuevo Mexico !!!

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We would be moving behind enemy lines (Santa Fe). I like a good challenge!

Anyway, us moving there is not imminent. I'm guessing it's a year away. This a very recent decision and we have a lot to do to get there.

TAMU1990 said:

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Why can't they just file? Why do they need signatures to get on a ballot? After a deadline, I get it. But in a regular timeframe why can't they just file like in almost every state?

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https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/petition-requirements-to-run-for-the-state-legislature

Hope this helps?

I'm also a New Mexican who's been here 30+ years, and while not involved in politics beyond voting against every state and local bond issue, do like to see what is going on.

Am a little more active in NMSSA.org and the second amendment stuff.
Also live in a very conservative rural part of New Mexico in the mountains. BTW it was 12 this morning after the cold front blew through yesterday.

YouBet said:

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Dorm 15 said:

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Redistricting2021/Documents/NM_Counties_2020_Official_table.pdf

With very few exceptions, the rural counties are very Republican. Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and suburbs of those counties being Democrats. Dona Ana County is Democrat but not quite as strong as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Turning "Red" might be difficult but "Purple" is definitely attainable. I have been here 40 years and think it's a great place. By the way, Bienvenidos to Nuevo Mexico !!!

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We would be moving behind enemy lines (Santa Fe). I like a good challenge!

Anyway, us moving there is not imminent. I'm guessing it's a year away. This a very recent decision and we have a lot to do to get there.

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Santa Fe is a little bit to "Austin" for me but the surrounding area is beautiful.

An example of when marxist control elections?