THE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE COULD BE BACK AT THE BALLOT BOX IF A LEGISLATIVE BILL SURVIVES THE 2013 SESSION. THE MEASURE PASSED ON WEDNESDAY OUT OF THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE ON A 6-TO-4 VOTE. IT NOW GOES TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THE BILL WOULD BASICALLY OVERTURN SECRETARY OF STATE DIANNA DURAN'S DETERMINATION THAT NOWHERE IN STATE LAW DOES IT STATE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING IS ALLOWED. HER "CALL" ON THE MATTER PRIOR TO THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION ENDED THE PRACTICE.

THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS THAT 41 PERCENT OF NEW MEXICO VOTERS CAST STRAIGHT PARTY VOTES IN 2010.