SAT MAY 13: 11AM-1PM - Please sign the petitions!
Dear Las Crucens, This Saturday May 13 from 11am-1pm, please come out to sign the referendum petitions against the worst Bills passed by the NM Legislature. 👇👇👇 The Referendum Petitions are being used specifically to challenge the laws which erode our elections process and take away parents' rights to be informed and involved in their children's reproductive and transgender healthcare (see more info below).
SAT MAY 13 FROM 11AM-1PM WHAT: Petition Signing Event for Free People of the Southwest WHEN: Saturday May 13, 11am-1pm WHERE: Albert Johnson Park (in front of Branigan Library)
IN ADVANCE: Please look up your Voting Precinct, as you will have to write this in when you sign the petition. This is NOT the same as your ward.
ABOUT REFERENDUMS
DRAFTJS_BLOCK_KEY:fkl4nDear Las Crucens, This Saturday May 13 from 11am-1pm, that are passed by the legislature.
If we can get enough petition signatures, the Bills are required to be put on the ballot at the next General Election (which is in Nov 2024).
We are aiming for 180,000 statewide (15,000 for Doña Ana County) by June 2023 to stop bills from taking effect and put them on the ballot for Nov 2024 general election.
Failing that, another option is to collect 72,000 signatures statewide over a year. With this option, Bills still take effect but are then put on ballot in Nov 2024 for general election.
ABOUT THE BILLS These are the Bills that are specifically going to be challenged: Health Bills • HB7
Unrestricted access to abortion or transgender services for minors without parental consent
Strips municipalities of the right to restrict access to abortion and gender transitioning services
Penalizes teachers, nurses, etc with $5,000 fine if they “interfere” with access to abortion or gender transitioning services by telling parents
Does not allow people to opt-out of participation due to moral or conscience objections
• SB13
Protections for out-of-state providers and patients who come to New Mexico for abortions or gender-changing procedures
Violates free speech protections by silencing electronic communications related to abortion or transgender procedures
Gives no age restrictions or requirements for parental notification for minors to receive abortion or transgender services
• SB397
Increases funding for school-based health clinics and expands access to abortion and gender-changing procedures on school grounds
$3 million in "recurring" taxpayer funds for the Dept of Health to operate and expand "school-based health clinics"
Clinics offer sexual and "reproductive health" services
Clinics expected to include elective transgender procedures without parental involvement or consent
Election Bills • SB180
Forces counties to use internet-connected poll books
Requires all special elections to be performed by absentee voting
Removes safeguards around having a minor serve on an election board
Prevents release of election information to public
• HB4
Allows convicted felons to vote immediately upon release (even if still on parole)
Mandates increased use of drop boxes
Creates a permanent absentee voter list
Automatic voter registration through MVD and state agencies
Thanks in advance for your help as we challenge the bad bills! Standing with you in solidarity, Sarah Smith Free People of the Southwest New Mexico Freedoms Alliance
