Court says N.M. violated voter act

KRQE TV

Updated: Feb 22, 2012 1:58 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) — A federal appeals court has ruled New Mexico violated the National Voter Registration Act while working with public-assistance clients.

The ruling handed down Tuesday found the state Human Services Department only provided voter registration materials to clients who asked for them.

Under the law, HSD was supposed to offer voter registration to all clients applying for or recertifying benefits or changing their addresses, the court said.

A coalition of voting-rights groups and attorneys sued state officials in federal court in 2009 to force compliance with the 1993 law.

A U.S. District court ruled against the state in December 2010, and Tuesday's ruling affirms that decision.

State officials have not yet commented on the latest decision.

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