New Mexico State Legislature
| New Mexico State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 21, 2025 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Howie Morales (D) |
| House Speaker: | Javier I. Martínez (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate:Peter Wirth (D) House:Reena Szczepanski (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate:William Sharer (R) House:Gail Armstrong (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 42 (Senate), 70 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate),2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art IV, Section 3, New Mexico Constitution |
| Salary: | $0/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant |
TheNew Mexico Legislature is the legislative branch ofNew Mexico. It is abicameral body made up of theNew Mexico House of Representatives and theNew Mexico State Senate.
The legislature consists of 70 representatives and 42 senators. Senators are elected to four-year terms and representatives are elected to two-year terms.
New Mexico has a Democratictrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
The New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. There are 42 members of the Senate.
As of the 2020 Census, New Mexico state senators represented an average of50,481 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented49,221 residents.
All 42 seats are up for election every four years.
| Party | As of November 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 26 | |
| Republican Party | 15 | |
| Independent | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 42 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the New Mexico State Senate in 1988. In2024, they won a 26-16 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the New Mexico Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New Mexico State Senate election results: 1992-2024
| Party | 92 | 96 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
| Republicans | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives is thelower house of the New Mexico State Legislature. There are 70 members of the House.
As of the 2020 Census, New Mexico state representatives represented an average of30,289 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented29,532 residents.
| Party | As of November 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 44 | |
| Republican Party | 26 | |
| Independent | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 70 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won control of the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2016. In2024, they won a 43-26 majority with one vacancy.
The table below shows the partisan history of the New Mexico House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New Mexico House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 52 | 46 | 42 | 40 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 45 | 37 | 38 | 33 | 38 | 46 | 44 | 45 | 43 |
| Republicans | 18 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 33 | 32 | 37 | 32 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Elections
2026
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 2, 2026. The filing deadline is March 10, 2026.
2024
Elections for theNew Mexico State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 4, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 12, 2024.
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 4, 2024. The filing deadline wasMarch 12, 2024.
2022
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 24, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office ofNew Mexico State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 10, 2020.
Elections for the office ofNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 10, 2020.
2018
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2018. Theclosed primary election took place on June 5, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 13, 2018.[1]
2016
Elections for theNew Mexico State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016.
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016.
2014
Elections for theNew Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 4, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of New Mexico State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2012.
Elections for the office of New Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of New Mexico House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 1, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was February 9, 2010.
Sessions
Article IV of the New Mexico Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 5 of Article IV states that the Legislature is to convene its annual regular session on the third Tuesday of January. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to be in session for no longer than sixty days. In even-numbered years, the Legislature is to be in session for no longer than thirty days. In even-numbered years, the Legislature is limited to dealing with budgetary matters, bills that deal with issues raised by special messages of theGovernor of New Mexico, and bills vetoed in the previous session by the Governor.
Section 6 of Article IV allows theGovernor of New Mexico to call special sessions of the Legislature. Section 6 also allows the Legislature to meet in special session when three-fifths of each house petition the Governor with a request for a special session. Special sessions are not to exceed thirty days in length.
2025
In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2025, and adjourn on March 22, 2025.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 16, 2024, and adjourn on February 15, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2023, and adjourn on March 18, 2023. 2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 18, 2022, and adjourn on February 17, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 19, 2021, and adjourn on March 20, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 21, 2020, and adjourn on February 20, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 15, 2019, through March 16, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 16, 2018, through February 15, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 17, 2017, through March 18, 2017. A special session was held from May 24 to May 30 to address the budget dispute between Gov.Susana Martinez (R) and the legislature.
2016In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 19 through February 18. 2015In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 20 through March 21. A one-day special session took place on June 8.[4] Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included makingNew Mexico a right-to-work state, repeal of drivers licenses for the undocumented, and an increase in the minimum wage.[5] 2014In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 21 through February 20. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the economy, the budget, infrastructure, and education.[6] 2013In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 15 to March 16. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included education, solvency of the state's public retirement system, tax cuts for state businesses, and tougher anti-DWI laws.[7] 2012In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 17 through February 16. Major issues in 2012In their 30-day session the legislature considered drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, voter identification, business income tax, ethics reform, and defining homeowner rights in foreclosure proceedings.[8] Gov.Susana Martinez (R) watched as the state legislature ended its session by rejecting a bill that would have repealed the law allowing drivers licenses to be issued to people without Social Security numbers. It was the third time she tried to undo the law. The bill was initially passed by theHouse but defeated in theSenate. The Senate instead passed a measure shortening how long the licenses are valid and imposing harsher penalties on those committing fraud.[9] 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 18 through March 19.[10] 2010In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 19 to February 18. Additionally, the legislature convened a special session from March 1 to March 4.[11] |
Role in state budget
- See also:New Mexico state budget and finances
New Mexicoon |
New Mexico operates on an annual budget cycle, with each fiscal year beginning in July. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[12]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies byJune 15.
- State agencies submit their budget requests bySeptember 1.
- Public hearings are held fromSeptember through December.
- Thegovernor submits his or her budget proposal to theNew Mexico State Legislature onJanuary 5 or January 10.
- The legislature adopts a budget inFebruary orMarch. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
New Mexico is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[12][13]
The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget. Likewise, the legislature is statutorily required to pass a balanced budget.[12]
Legislators
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[14] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $0/year | $191/day |
When sworn in
New Mexico legislators assume office on the first day of January after a general election.[15]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in New Mexico are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 47 of the 70 members in theNew Mexico House of Representatives and 28 of the 42 members in theNew Mexico State Senate. New Mexico is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes, even if an election has occurred. Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.[16] |
Authority:Article IV, Section 22 of theNew Mexico Constitution.
| "Every bill passed by the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for approval. If he approves, he shall sign it, and deposit it with the secretary of state; otherwise, he shall return it to the house in which it originated, with his objections, which shall be entered at large upon the journal; and such bill shall not become a law unless thereafter approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting in each house by yea and nay vote entered upon its journal." |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
New Mexico State Senate:During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the New Mexico State Senate. The New Mexico State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
New Mexico State House of Representatives:During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the New Mexico State House of Representatives. The New Mexico State House of Representatives is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of New Mexico, theNew Mexico State Senate and theNew Mexico House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the New Mexico state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. New Mexico experienced two Democratic trifectas during the years of the study, from 1992-1994 and from 2003-2010. The state finished in the bottom-10 during every year of the study. Its worst ranking, finishing 50th, occurred from 1999-2000, during a divided government. Its best ranking, finishing 41st, occurred in 2008, during a Democratic trifecta.
Redistricting
- See also:Redistricting in New Mexico
In New Mexico, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by thestate legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.[17]
State statutes require that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Redistricting guidelines adopted in 2011 suggest that congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[17]
- All districts should be "reasonably compact."
- Districts should "not split voting precincts."
- Districts should "attempt to preserve communities of interest and take into consideration political and geographic boundaries."
These guidelines are nonbinding and may be altered by the legislature at its discretion.[17]
On April 6, 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed SB304 into law, forming a seven-member advisory redistricting commission. The legislation bars public officials, candidates, political party officeholders, federal legislative or state employees, and the relatives of federal or state officeholders from serving on the commission. The commission's proposals do not bind the state legislature, which retains the authority to adopt, amend, or discard the proposals as it sees fit.[18]
2020
Gov.Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed a new state House map into law on December 29, 2021, and a new state Senate map on January 6, 2022. These maps took effect for New Mexico's 2022 legislative elections. The state House approved the House map bill 43-23 on December 10, 2021, and the state Senate approved the bill 24-13 on December 16, 2021.[19] The state Senate approved the Senate map 25-13 on December 16, and the state House approved the map 38-22 on December 17.[20]
2010
New Mexico received its local census data on March 15, 2011. The state grew 13.2 percent from 2000 to 2010. All of its most populous cities grew: Albuquerque grew by 21.7 percent, Las Cruces grew by 31.4 percent, Rio Rancho grew by 69.1 percent, Santa Fe grew by 9.2 percent, and Roswell grew by 6.8 percent.[21]
At the time of redistricting, Democrats controlled the Legislature while Gov.Susana Martinez was a Republican. The interim committee reviewed eight House maps and nine Senate maps before the special redistricting session of the Legislature began on September 6, 2011. On September 21, the Senate passed a map on party lines, with the House following the next day. Gov. Martinez vetoed the maps on October 7, leaving a court to resolve the process[22]
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the New Mexico Constitution can be amended:
TheNew Mexico Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
Legislature
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for theNew Mexico State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 36 votes in theNew Mexico House of Representatives and 22 votes in theNew Mexico State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
Atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session of the state legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. A convention is held if the question receives a simple majority of the vote. Voters must also ratify amendments proposed by the convention.
See also
| Elections | New Mexico State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑New Mexico Secretary of State, "2018 Candidate Information Guide," accessed November 9, 2017
- ↑NY Times, "New Mexico Supreme Court Won't Restore Funds to Legislature," May 11, 2017
- ↑The Albuquerque Journal, "Lawmakers keep ‘fingers crossed’ as session ends," May 30, 2017
- ↑timesunion.com, "New Mexico special session ends with capital-spending deal," accessed June 9, 2015
- ↑University of New Mexico, "New Mexico 2015 Legislative session opens," accessed January 21, 2014
- ↑www.santafenewmexican.com/, "Issues facing the New Mexico Legislature ," accessed January 21, 2014
- ↑ABQ Journal, "Legislature: New Members, Old Issues," January 13, 2013
- ↑Santa Fe New Mexican, "Election-year tension and redrawn districts set stage for political dramas at the Capitol," January 15, 2012(Archived)
- ↑Latin American Herald Tribune, "Undocumented New Mexicans Can Still Get Driver’s Licenses," February 19, 2012
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑New Mexico Legislature, "Session Dates," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑12.012.112.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑New Mexico Constitution, "Article IV, Section 4, accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑Newmexicopolitics.net "New Mexico’s veto problem," June 26, 2017
- ↑17.017.117.2All About Redistricting, "New Mexico," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑All About Redistricting, "New Mexico," accessed April 19, 2021
- ↑New Mexico State Legislature, "2021 2nd Special Session - HB 8," accessed January 3, 2022
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedsb2 - ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers New Mexico's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," accessed February 11, 2021
- ↑The Republic, "New Mexico's redistricting costs total nearly $8M, exceeding expenses a decade ago," August 2, 2012(Archived)
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