NMSA 1-11-12.2. Monitored secured containers; distribution to counties

1-11-12.2. Monitored secured containers; distribution to counties. A. Each county shall have at least two monitored secured containers; provided that, in consideration of geographic or security constraints existent in a county, a county clerk may request from the secretary of state a waiver from this requirement. The secretary of state may approve a request by a county clerk for additional monitored secured containers in a county. B. In addition to the monitored secured containers provided pursuant to Subsection A of this section, a political subdivision of the state, including a municipality, school district or community college, may make a written request to the county clerk for one or more monitored secured containers on or near the boundaries of the political subdivision. A county clerk who receives a written request for monitored secured containers from a political subdivision shall evaluate the population in and near the area of the request, the distance voters have to travel to get to the nearest monitored secured container and the number of monitored secured containers and early voting locations on or near the area of the request. The county clerk shall respond in writing to the requesting political subdivision within thirty days of receiving the written request. A written request for monitored secured containers for future statewide elections may be made between the second Tuesday in March and the second Tuesday in April of any year. C. A political subdivision whose written request to a county clerk for monitored secured containers is denied may appeal that decision by submitting the written request along with the denial letter from the county clerk to the secretary of state, along with any response to the denial letter from the requesting political subdivision. The secretary of state may place a monitored secured container on or near an area that is the subject of the request in response to an appeal submitted pursuant to this subsection. D. A monitored secured container located on or near the boundaries of a political subdivision shall comply with all requirements for monitored secured containers provided in the Election Code. If a monitored secured container is provided pursuant to this section, the requesting political subdivision shall provide the facility and services necessary for the monitored secured container. History: 1978 Comp., § 1-11-12.2, enacted by Laws 2023, ch. 84, § 11.