Section 3-8-64 - Contest of elections; judgment; effect; costs; disqualification of trial judge; appeal.
3-8-64. Contest of elections; judgment; effect; costs; disqualification of trial judge; appeal.
A. Judgment shall be rendered in favor of the person legally qualified to take office for whom a plurality of the legal votes shall be proven to have been cast in accordance with 3-8-32 NMSA 1978, and shall be to the effect that the person is entitled to the office in controversy with all the privileges, powers and emoluments belonging thereto and for his costs. If the contestant prevails, then that person shall have judgment placing the contestant in possession of the contested office and for the emoluments thereof from the beginning of the term for which the contestant was elected and for costs.
B. When a contest involves a question, judgment shall be rendered to cause the question to be passed or defeated based upon whether a majority of the legal votes favored passage or defeat of the question. Successful contestants shall recover costs.
C. Any election contest shall be an action or proceeding within the meaning of Section 38-3-9 NMSA 1978. Any affidavit of disqualification shall be filed on or before the date when the answer is required to be filed to the notice of contest.
D. An appeal shall lie from any judgment or decree entered in the contest proceeding within the time and in the manner provided by law for civil appeals from the district court.