The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Mexico prohibits armed troops at polling places and expands election emergency procedures
Last action · March 9, 2026: Signed by Governor - Chapter 58 - Mar. 9Sponsors: Heather Berghmans and 5 others
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What This Bill Does
Senate Bill 264 prohibits any person acting from bringing armed troops or personnel to polling places or drop-off containers unless necessary to repel armed enemies, establishes protocols for conducting elections during declared emergencies, and increases penalties for election interference.
The law imposes fourth-degree felony penalties for interfering with election administration or intimidating election workers and voters, while allowing impacted county clerks to establish alternative voting sites and electronic ballot transmission during emergencies without court approval.
- Senate Bill 264 was enacted during the 2026 Regular Session of the New Mexico Legislature and signed into law as Chapter 58. context
- The legislation amends the New Mexico Election Code to address polling place security, armed personnel restrictions, and emergency voting procedures. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Voters
Voters are protected by restrictions on armed personnel near polling places, enhanced penalties for voter coercion, and new procedures ensuring ballot access during emergencies.
County Clerks
County clerks must manage emergency contingency plans, notify the secretary of state of disruptions, designate alternate polling sites, and have standing to bring civil enforcement actions.
Peace Officers
Law enforcement officers face strict limitations on entering polling places and severe penalties, including dismissal and ineligibility for reinstatement, if they interfere with election operations.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalties for interfering with an election under this law?
Can law enforcement officers enter a polling place?
What happens to voting locations if an emergency or natural disaster occurs?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
11 actions- Mar 9, 2026Governor of New MexicoEnrolledSigned by Governor - Chapter 58 - Mar. 9
- Feb 17, 2026HouseFloorPassed in the House of Representatives - Y:41 N:26
- Feb 17, 2026HouseHJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- Feb 16, 2026HouseCommitteeSent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
- Feb 15, 2026SenateFloorPassed in the Senate - Y:26 N:16
- Feb 14, 2026SenateSJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
Show 5 earlier actions
- Feb 11, 2026SenateSRC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- Feb 9, 2026SenateSCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- Feb 7, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to: SCC/SRC/SJC
- Feb 7, 2026New Mexico LegislatureWithdrawn from committee or daily calendar for subsequent action
- Feb 4, 2026New Mexico LegislatureNot Printed
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 1 more sponsor
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Codification of Emergency Election Protocols
The legislation establishes clear statutory procedures for county clerks to pivot to alternative sites and electronic ballot transmission during emergencies without needing court approval.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.nmlegis.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz50Current news / social attention level
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