Section 1-8-18 - Primary Election Law; who may become a candidate.
1-8-18. Primary Election Law; who may become a candidate.
A. No person shall become a candidate for nomination by a political party or have his name printed on the primary election ballot unless his record of voter registration shows:
(1) his affiliation with that political party on the date of the governor's proclamation for the primary election; and
(2) his residence in the district of the office for which he is a candidate on the date of the governor's proclamation for the primary election or in the case of a person seeking the office of United States senator or United States representative, his residence within New Mexico on the date of the governor's proclamation for the primary election.
B. Any voter may challenge the candidacy of any person seeking nomination by a political party for the reason that he does not meet the requirements of Subsection A of this section by filing a petition in the district court within ten days after the last day for filing a declaration of candidacy or a statement of candidacy for convention designation. The district court shall hear and render a decision on the matter within ten days after the filing of the petition. The decision of the district court may be appealed to the supreme court within five days after the decision is rendered. The supreme court shall hear and render a decision on the appeal forthwith.