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CVNM:

About the Scorecard

Conservation Voters New Mexico’s 2023-2024 Conservation Scorecard provides objective, nonpartisan information about the conservation voting records of all members during the 56th Legislature of the State of New Mexico. Scorecards are a clear and comprehensive way for you to see how you are being represented on issues that matter to you.

Gila Wilderness

Photo: Bradley Lanphear / No Barriers.

Vote Selection

Each vote was selected solely on the basis of the conservation values embodied in the legislation. Responsibility for the final set of selected votes rests entirely with Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM).

Thousands of votes are taken during a legislative session in New Mexico. Many of these votes represent overwhelming agreement on non-controversial issues or amendments. To provide better insight into the various positions of our legislators, CVNM tends to select measures that illustrate the key debates and fierce disagreements over conservation policy in the state.

CVNM selected the most critical votes on each issue. In some cases, a vote on an amendment to a bill or a procedural motion was more important than voting on the bill itself. In others, a procedural motion is the only public indication of a legislator’s position on a measure. In all cases, the actual vote included in the Scorecard is detailed in the vote description. Some votes, such as those taken on a motion to “table” a bill, are not made public on the Legislature’s website. These votes are recorded and shared here as a demonstration of where legislators stand on critical issues. We have them to share due to the commitment of the conservation community to tracking hundreds of bills that threaten to harm our health and environment each session.

We encourage you to read the descriptions of each vote to determine how well your legislators represented you on the issues and bills that are most important to you.

Recording the Votes

If a legislator voted in support of the pro-conservation position, his or her vote is recorded on the chart as a check mark ; votes against the conservation position are indicated with an .

If a legislator was excused from voting, this is noted by an “E”, and the vote does not count positively or negatively towards their final score. If a legislator was not excused from voting but chose not to vote, they are recorded as ‘absent’, shown as “A”. An absence counts against a legislator in the calculation of their score. If a legislator chose to abstain from voting, this is noted by a “W”. Abstaining counts against a legislator in the calculation of their score. If a legislator chose to recuse themselves from a vote, this is noted by an “R”, and the vote does not count positively or negatively towards their final score.

Wherever possible, the votes included in the Scorecard were taken on the floor of the House or Senate, where every legislator’s position can be represented. However, some of the most important actions are taken in legislative committees on measures that never reach the floor. In these cases, CVNM has presented the relevant committee votes, and the positions of legislators who do not serve on those particular committees are not indicated.

CVNM Priority Votes

Let’s face it: not all votes are equal.

Some votes are more critical than others, either because of the issues at stake or the personal courage required of legislators who take the pro-conservation position. Here, we represent the most critical measures by classifying them as “priority” votes, with this symbol: . The value of these votes is doubled in the Scorecard.

Know the Score > Take Action

Say ‘thanks’ … or, ‘no thanks’!

Tell your Legislators that you ‘know the score’

One of the best ways to influence the voting records of your elected officials is to communicate regularly with them. If your legislators scored well, it’s important to thank them and to support them. If you feel you weren’t well-represented by your legislators’ votes, it’s important to hold them accountable by letting them know what you think about their votes. The Scorecard is your key to staying informed on your legislators votes and getting in touch with them.

Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators

Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.

The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.

Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts. You can get their contact information by clicking on their names in the current Legislators page.

Find your Legislator

Join the Conservation Voters Movement!

We take on tough fights to protect New Mexico, but these efforts in the State Capitol and around the state require financial resources. We can only win when we work together. Please join other New Mexicans in becoming a Conservation Voter today!

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