Municipalities Seek to Limit Civic Engagement

NEW MEXICO - The Republican Party of New Mexico expresses a concern regarding a trend among some municipalities-most recently the City of Alamogordo -to adopt policies that would limit voter registration booths at public events by classifying them as “partisan” or “civic outreach” activities. This approach is both legally and civically misguided.

Voter Registration is Non-Partisan

Under New Mexico law, certified Third-Party Voter Registration Agents (VRAs) are legally required to operate in a non-partisan manner. These agents are trained and regulated by the New Mexico Secretary of State to ensure impartiality when assisting citizens with the voter registration process. State statute NMSA 1978, Section 1-4-49(C) explicitly prohibits VRAs from engaging in political advocacy, altering information, or receiving compensation based on registration volume.

Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Neutrality

Public events should promote civic pride and community involvement. Voter registration drives-when conducted lawfully-advance these goals by empowering citizens to participate in the election process. Banning these booths under the guise of neutrality risks sending the message that participation in elections is unwelcome or controversial.

This concern is amplified by Alamogordo’s recently adopted “Non-partisan Integrity at Public Events” policy, which broadly defines “civic outreach organizations” as those involved in “public policy advocacy or civic engagement,” and bars them from participating in city events altogether. Such language could inadvertently ban lawful, constitutionally protected activities like voter registration and civic education. Protecting Access, Upholding the Law

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) encourages expanded access to voter registration services. Communities across our state and nation routinely host nonpartisan voter registration booths at fairs, markets, and festivals-with no threat to public neutrality or city governance.

Furthermore, this type of restriction may invite legal scrutiny under the First Amendment, as courts have ruled against blanket prohibitions on non-disruptive civic activity in public forums.

RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela calls for thoughtful policy: “I respectfully urge every municipal government in New Mexico to review its policies with care. We must draw a clear line between partisan political activity, which can rightly be limited at official city events, and non-partisan civic engagement, which should be welcomed and encouraged. As Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, I stand firmly for election integrity and civic participation. Ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to register-without party pressure-is foundational to those principles. Let us not conflate nonpartisan voter registration with political campaigning. I urge you to amend or avoid policies that do so and instead embrace lawful, neutral civic participation as a benefit to your community.”