Natalie Figueroa /tags/natalie-figueroa Natalie Figueroa en-US Copyright Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:22:12 GMT NM Senate passes bill to let independents vote in primaries /local-news/2025-02-18/semi-open-nm-primaries-independents-bill In New Mexico, only those registered with a major political party can vote in its primary elections. A bill moving through the state Legislature would change that for voters who aren’t affiliated with a party, or who “decline to state.” Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:22:12 GMT /local-news/2025-02-18/semi-open-nm-primaries-independents-bill Nash Jones Fourth attempt to take redistricting away from NM lawmakers would leave them with Congressional map /local-news/2025-02-11/fourth-attempt-to-take-redistricting-away-from-nm-lawmakers-would-leave-them-with-congressional-map A push to take the job of drawing voting districts away from state lawmakers and give it to an independent commission has failed to pass in every legislative session since New Mexico redrew its maps in 2021. A joint resolution introduced Monday again seeks the change for state offices, but would leave the power to redraw the U.S. House map in the hands of legislators. Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:11:43 GMT /local-news/2025-02-11/fourth-attempt-to-take-redistricting-away-from-nm-lawmakers-would-leave-them-with-congressional-map Nash Jones Lawmakers are pushing for salaries and a longer legislative session /local-news/2024-01-25/lawmakers-are-pushing-for-salaries-and-a-longer-legislative-session New Mexico is in the middle of its 30-day session – one of the shortest in the entire nation. It also has the only unpaid lawmakers. Advocates say legislators should be compensated and sessions should be longer so there is enough time to pass bills. Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:12:22 GMT /local-news/2024-01-25/lawmakers-are-pushing-for-salaries-and-a-longer-legislative-session Jeanette DeDios Question of lawmakers drawing their own voting districts not likely to go before NM voters /local-news/2023-02-21/question-of-lawmakers-drawing-their-own-voting-districts-not-likely-to-go-before-nm-voters House Joint Resolution 1 would ask voters whether to amend the state’s constitution, taking the redistricting process away from lawmakers and giving it to an independent commission instead. It was nearly unanimously tabled in the House Judiciary Committee Monday, with lawmakers from both parties voting to set the measure aside, with only Democratic Rep. Andrea Romero voting against doing so. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 02:37:45 GMT /local-news/2023-02-21/question-of-lawmakers-drawing-their-own-voting-districts-not-likely-to-go-before-nm-voters Nash Jones Taking redistricting away from lawmakers gets mixed reaction from both parties /local-news/2023-02-01/taking-redistricting-away-from-lawmakers-gets-mixed-reaction-from-both-parties A resolution that would ask voters whether to change New Mexico’s constitution so that state lawmakers no longer draw their own voting districts is moving forward in the legislature with bipartisan support. But the proposal to create an independent redistricting commission also has detractors in both parties. Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:56:12 GMT /local-news/2023-02-01/taking-redistricting-away-from-lawmakers-gets-mixed-reaction-from-both-parties Nash Jones Lawmakers to consider taking redistricting out of their own hands /local-news/2022-12-19/lawmakers-to-consider-taking-redistricting-out-of-their-own-hands A bill that aims to establish an independent redistricting commission to limit lawmakers’ role in drawing their own maps is expected to be introduced next month. Its sponsor, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, says it’s a necessary next step in removing politics from New Mexico’s process. Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:25:46 GMT /local-news/2022-12-19/lawmakers-to-consider-taking-redistricting-out-of-their-own-hands Nash Jones Dem control of NM House goes unchanged, but redistricting process may not /local-news/2022-11-23/dem-control-of-nm-house-goes-unchanged-but-redistricting-process-may-not The election of all 70 seats in the New Mexico House was the first go around for a new district map. While Democratic control of the House will remain the same, the redistricting process may not. Thu, 24 Nov 2022 02:36:31 GMT /local-news/2022-11-23/dem-control-of-nm-house-goes-unchanged-but-redistricting-process-may-not Nash Jones Lawmaker plans to keep pushing after redistricting reform proposal stalls /local-news/2022-02-22/lawmaker-plans-to-keep-pushing-after-redistricting-reform-proposal-stalls State legislators passed only a fraction of the bills and resolutions introduced in this year’s short, 30-day session. One of proposals that stalled in committee was a resolution to reform the way redistricting is conducted in New Mexico. Its sponsor, Democratic Rep. Natalie Figueroa, spoke with 91’s Nash Jones about what happened to the legislation and why she’ll continue to advocate for it. Wed, 23 Feb 2022 04:04:03 GMT /local-news/2022-02-22/lawmaker-plans-to-keep-pushing-after-redistricting-reform-proposal-stalls Nash Jones