The Albuquerque Journal has this mention of the lawsuit Parker v Duran, which challenges the need for independent candidates to submit a petition of 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, when the nominees of minor parties need 1%, and members of major parties need an even smaller number of signatures to get on a primary ballot. The lawsuit was filed July 3.

New Mexico is tied with Montana and Alabama for having the nation’s highest percentage of signatures needed for independent candidates for non-presidential statewide office. New Mexico and Alabama are at 3% of the last gubernatorial vote, and Montana is at 5% of the winning candidate’s vote, which is approximately the same.

UPDATE: here is a more comprehensive story from the Associated Press.