NMSA 1-14-13. Post-election duties; proof that no corruption occurred; rejection

1-14-13. Post-election duties; proof that no corruption occurred; rejection of ballots. A. In any election contest a prima facie showing that the precinct board [election board] of any precinct has failed to substantially comply with the provisions of the Election Code [Chapter 1 NMSA 1978] that protect the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot and prescribe duties of the precinct board [election board] during the conduct of election, shall cast upon the candidates of the political party having majority representation on the precinct board [election board] the burden of proving that no fraud, intimidation, coercion or undue influence was exerted by such members of the precinct board [election board], and that the secrecy and purity of the ballot was safeguarded and no intentional evasion of the substantial requirements of the law was made. B. Upon failure to make such a showing upon which the court shall so find, the votes of that entire precinct shall be rejected; provided, that no such rejection shall be made where it appears to the court that the members of the precinct board [election board] ignored the requirements of the Election Code with the probable interest of procuring the rejection of the entire vote in the precinct. History: 1953 Comp., § 3-14-17, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 240, § 342.