The Rio Grande Institute is a non-partisan New Mexico organizations that studies ideas for improving government and society. On May 4, the Institute recommended easing ballot access for minor party and independent candidates. See here.

New Mexico will probably be one of only three or four states this year with no minor party or independent candidates on the ballot in November for statewide office. Others will be Alabama, and probably California. Washington state is the only state with no statewide races in 2014.

The biggest problem with New Mexico ballot access is the state’s unique law that says a qualified minor party must submit large petitions for each of its nominees. No other state requires the nominees of qualified political parties to submit signatures. Sometimes candidates must submit petitions to get on a primary ballot, but candidates seeking a party nomination are not party nominees.