§ NMSA 1978, § 1-8-51(untitled)

Independent candidates for general or United States representative elections; nominating petitions; required number of signatures.
A. The basis of percentage for the total number of votes cast in each instance referred to in this
section shall be the total vote cast for governor at the last preceding general election at which a
governor was elected.
1-8-51
Nominations And Primary Elections 1-8-51
B. Nominating petitions for an independent candidate for president of the United States shall
be signed by a number of voters equal to the number of signatures required to form a new political
party.
C. Nominating petitions for an independent candidate for United States senator or any other
statewide elective office shall be signed by a number of voters equal to at least two percent of the
total number of votes cast in the state.
D. Nominating petitions for an independent candidate for United States representative shall
be signed by a number of voters equal to at least two percent of the total number of votes cast in
the district.
E. Nominating petitions for an independent candidate for a member of the legislature, public
regulation commission, district judge, district attorney, member of the public education commission, magistrate or county office shall be signed by a number of voters equal to at least two percent
of the total number of votes cast in the district, division or county, as the case may be.
F. When a vacancy for any office occurs on the general election ballot pursuant to Section 1-8-7
or 1-8-8 NMSA 1978 in which all political parties may name a general election candidate or when
a vacancy occurs in the office of United States representative pursuant to Section 1-15-18.1 NMSA
1978, an independent candidate may file a declaration of candidacy on or by the same deadline
applicable to the political parties. The nominating petitions for an independent candidate in such
circumstances shall be signed by the number of voters provided in this section, unless there are
fewer than:
(1) sixty days from the announcement of the vacancy to the last day to file a declaration of
candidacy, in which case an independent candidate shall submit nominating petitions signed by a
number of voters equal to two-thirds the number of voters otherwise required by this section for
an independent candidate; or
(2) thirty days from the announcement of the vacancy to the last day to file a declaration
of candidacy, in which case an independent candidate shall submit nominating petitions signed by
a number of voters equal to one-third the number of voters otherwise required by this section for
an independent candidate.
G. A voter shall not sign a petition for an independent candidate as provided in this section if
the voter has signed a petition for another independent candidate for the same office.