ALBUQUERQUE—Steve Pearce, candidate for Governor, issued the following statement today following reports that New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver intends a last minute switch to straight party voting for this November's election.

"Today, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver attacked democracy with a partisan move to rig elections and disenfranchise voters. I call on my opponent, Michelle Lujan Grisham, to stand up for fair elections and join with me in denouncing this corrupt, anti-democratic act. The voters of New Mexico deserve free and fair elections not blatantly partisan and corrupt public officials. Maggie Toulouse Oliver's actions are creating a grave crisis in democracy of our state."