On behalf of House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong, please find the following statement regarding the removal of Representative Rebecca Dow from the ballot in House District 38:
"The political establishment in New Mexico didn't just remove a sitting legislator from the ballot, they stripped the voters of House District 38 of their fundamental right to choose their own representative. That is disenfranchisement, plain and simple.
Representative Dow followed the process laid out by the Secretary of State, using the state's new online system to gather the required signatures. She submitted her paperwork in reliance on guidance from both the County Clerk and Secretary of State's office. Over 100 voters in HD 38 legally signed the nominating form for Rep Dow to be on the ballot. Yet, she was ultimately disqualified – not because of fraud or misconduct, but because of a flaw in the electronic system that the state created to help her.
Equally troubling, the court proceedings themselves raise serious concerns. The Court allotted sufficient time for the challengers to present their case, while effectively denying Representative Dow a meaningful opportunity to fully present evidence and witness testimony in her defense. That is not due process – it is a rushed judgement with far-reaching consequences.
The decision undermines confidence in our electoral system and silences the voices of the people of District 38.
The House Republican Caucus stands firmly behind Representative Dow as she appeals this ruling. We will continue fighting to ensure that the people – not bureaucratic errors or procedural gamesmanship – decide who represents them in the New Mexico Legislature."
