AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The League of Women Voters of New Mexico sought a writ of mandamus to compel the Advisory Committee to the New Mexico Compilation Commission to compile three constitutional amendments related to Article VII, Section 1 of the New Mexico Constitution. These amendments, proposed in 2008, 2010, and 2014, received a majority of votes but did not achieve a three-fourths super-majority. The amendments aimed to modernize language regarding voter qualifications and the scheduling of school elections, among other changes. The Compilation Commission had not compiled these amendments into the Constitution, prompting the legal action.

Procedural History

• [Not applicable or not found]

Parties' Submissions

• Petitioner: Argued that the amendments required only a simple majority for approval and should be compiled into the Constitution, as they did not restrict but rather expanded or neutrally affected voting rights.
• Respondent: Took no position on the merits but contended that the petition should be denied because the Advisory Committee was not the proper party.

Legal Issues

• Whether the 2008, 2010, and 2014 amendments to Article VII, Section 1 of the New Mexico Constitution were validly approved by a simple majority of voters.
• Whether the Advisory Committee to the New Mexico Compilation Commission is the proper respondent in this proceeding.

Disposition

• The Court granted the writ of mandanus as requested by the Petitioner.

Reasons

• The Court found that the amendments did not restrict voting rights but either expanded them or were neutral, thus requiring only a simple majority for ratification (paras 38-50). The Court also determined that the Advisory Committee was the proper respondent because its advice and approval are necessary for the Compilation Commission to fulfill its statutory responsibilities, including the compilation of duly ratified constitutional amendments (paras 15-18). The Court's decision was based on an interpretation of the New Mexico Constitution and the historical context of the provisions at issue, emphasizing the importance of protecting the political and educational rights of minorities while allowing for the expansion of such rights without the restrictions of a supermajority requirement (paras 19-54).