New Mexico state representative William Pratt will introduce a bill in early 2019 to lower the petition requirement for independent candidates. New Mexico has the nation’s most severe independent presidential petition requirement, 3% of the last gubernatorial vote. New Mexico is the only state with an independent presidential petition requirement in excess of 2% of the last gubernatorial vote.

Pratt was elected last month as a Democrat in the 27th house district. The district had elected Republicans ever since it was created in 2012, until Pratt won in November 2018 with 50.6% of the vote against his Republican opponent. Pratt is a retired physician who represents part of Albuquerque. In 2014 he was an independent candidate for the same seat, when his only opponent, the Republican, defeated him 60.6%-39.4%. Thanks to Bob Perls for this news.