The New Mexico Forward Party has submitted petition signatures to state election officials as it seeks recognition as an official political party ahead of the November general election.
The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Clara Bates reported that the party submitted 5,700 signatures to New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Friday. The raw total is above the 3,561 valid signatures currently required for new political party recognition, according to figures from the secretary of state’s website. The office has until May 15 to approve or deny the filing.
If certified, Forward Party candidates will be able to appear on the state ballot later this year. Bob Perls, chair of the New Mexico Forward Party, told the outlet that the submission followed 18 months of work. He said the party expects to run at least six candidates, though he declined to identify them or say where they would run.
The party has previously said it plans to target state legislators who opposed opening New Mexico’s primary elections to unaffiliated voters. It will now focus on recruiting candidates through the filing period, with candidate declarations due June 25.
Read the full article at the Santa Fe New Mexican.
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