NO DECISION YET FROM A STATE DISTRICT JUDGE ON A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING NEW MEXICO'S TWO-PARTY PRIMARY SYSTEM. JUDGE DENISE BARELA-SHEPHERD SAID MONDAY THAT BEFORE SHE MAKES A RULING IN THE CASE, SHE WANTS TO HEAR FROM THE STATE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES ON THE MATTER.
THE SUIT WAS FILED ON BEHALF OF NEW MEXICO'S 250-THOUSAND INDEPENDENT VOTERS. INDEPENDENTS MAKE UP 20 PERCENT OF NEW MEXICO'S REGISTERED VOTERS AND PAY TOWARD THE COST OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION, AS DO DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN VOTERS. THE LAWSUIT SEEKS THE RIGHT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO PICK A PARTY ON THE DAY OF THE PRIMARY SO THEY CAN VOTE. CURRENTLY ONLY REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CAN VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.
