Bill to allow later voter registration moves on

SANTA FE — A proposal to allow people to register to vote until three days before Election Day cleared its first committee Friday.

Senate Bill 224, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, still needs approval by the Public Affairs Committee before hitting the Senate floor.

Under the current law, voter registration is cut off four weeks before an election. Steinborn said it’s an antiquated rule.

“Clearly, we have the technology to safely enable citizens to register much closer to the election,” he said in a written statement. “This bill is a great step forward to make that happen.”

‘SANCTUARY STATE’: A proposal that would prevent New Mexico law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal immigration laws has cleared a Senate hurdle.

The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 4-2 on Friday to move the bill that would prohibit New Mexico police departments or sheriff’s offices from cooperating with federal agents in deporting immigrants suspected of living in the country illegally.

The “sanctuary state” bill also would prohibit state agencies from reporting a person’s immigration status or religion.

Sen. Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat, introduced the measure and said it was needed to prevent discrimination.

A similar measure is moving in the New Mexico House.

President Donald Trump campaigned on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and promised to deploy a “deportation force.”