Santa Fe, NM — Today on the House floor, Democrats once again put politics over the people of New Mexico.
House Democrats voted to pass Senate Bill 264, a dangerous and unnecessary bill that restricts troops and federal agents at polling places, while simultaneously killing a commonsense amendment offered by John Block (R-Alamogordo) that would have strengthened election security by requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
Instead of protecting the integrity of our elections, Democrats chose to weaken safeguards and reject accountability.
SB 264 creates new legal barriers that limit the presence of troops and federal agents at polling places, even in situations where security may be needed. At the same time, Democrats refused to adopt Rep. Block's amendment, modeled after the SAVE Act, which would have ensured that only United States citizens are registered to vote in New Mexico.
"This vote tells you everything you need to know," said Rep. Block. "House Democrats are more interested in political theater than protecting our elections. They blocked a simple requirement that most voters already meet, while pushing a bill that makes it harder to maintain security."
Rep. Block's amendment would have required proof of citizenship using existing documents such as driver's licenses, passports, birth certificates, or military IDs. It did not create a new ID, new bureaucracy, or new barriers. It simply verified eligibility.
Far from disenfranchising voters, the amendment would have strengthened and protected their right to vote by ensuring that every lawful ballot counts. When elections are secure, citizens have greater confidence that their voices matter and that their votes will not be diluted or ignored.
Polling consistently shows strong bipartisan support for voter ID and proof of citizenship. New Mexicans want fair, transparent, and secure elections. House Democrats ignored them.
By rejecting this amendment, Democrats sent a clear message: election integrity is not a priority.
"Every legal vote matters," Rep. Block added. "When Democrats block verification, they weaken trust in the entire system. That hurts every lawful voter in this state."
House Republicans stood united in supporting the amendment and opposing SB 264's reckless provisions. Democrats, once again, voted as a bloc to shield a broken system and silence concerns about election security.
New Mexico families deserve elections that are secure, transparent, and trustworthy. Today's vote moved us in the opposite direction.
House Republicans will continue fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and defend the rights of lawful voters.
