New Mexicans to decide if 'idiots,' 'insane' have right to vote

KKOB-TV ^ | 10/2/02 | KOB-TV Staff

[elkfersupper]

With less than five weeks until the general election, many New Mexicans may be surprised to learn that among the candidates, bond issues and constitutional amendments on this year's unusually long ballot, they will also be deciding whether to allow "idiots" and "insane persons" the right to vote.

That's right. Idiots currently can not vote in New Mexico under Constitutional Amendment 7, Section 1.

Proposed Amendment 2 on the November 5th ballot would change that. The amendment would alter the current wording on voter qualifications, which now reads, "except idiots, insane persons and persons convicted of a felonious or infamous crime."

If approved, the amendment would scratch out references to "idiots" and "insane persons," which may have been considered reasonable when the state's constitution was written in 1912, but is considered offensive and meaningless by many people today.

Some argue the terms are overly general and very much up to a person's own opinion. In fact, it's probably safe to say several of New Mexico's own politicians have been called "idiots" at various times, yet they've always enjoyed their right to vote.

However, the amendment is not without opposition. Some argue that removing the archaic terms "idiots" and "insane persons" without replacing them with more accurate language to reflect contemporary understanding of mental health may be too sweeping a change. They ask whether some mentally unstable individuals should maintain their right to vote.

Proposed Amendment 2 would also update wording regarding the age requirement to vote in New Mexico.

Article 7, Section 1 still states the voting age in the state as 21. The 26th Amendment of the U.S. constitution established the right of anyone over the age of 18 to vote, overruling the state's constitutional wording.

The proposed change would have no real effect, but would simply bring the statement in line with federal requirements.

[elkfersupper]

Another law that is not being enforced. Idiots and dead people constitute the majority of voters in NM. Probably the only state that will elect a former Clintonista (Bill Richardson) to public office (Governor.

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[San Jacinto]

Dems look to add to their base.

[SCHROLL]

They already do. They're called Democrats.

[Raymond Hendrix]

Idiots have been allowed to vote for years. Look at the NJ Supreme Court for example...

[Jaidyn]

Dems look to add to their base.
Next, it will be the prisons and felons (ex-felons)?

[SouthernFreebird]

Some idiots can even be voted for and become vice-Presidents like Gore......Quayle.......

[elkfersupper]

Or worse. No check on voter ID in NM.

[BenLurkin]

San Jacinto wrote: Dems look to add to their base.

Sounds about right to me.

[nonliberal]

They apparently do in Flori-duh.

[widowithfoursons]

Spent a (looooong) year in NM, and can verify that this law will simply cement current practice.

[umgud]

In Florida, it is perfectly legal for idiots to try to vote. Fortunately, most don't succeed.

[LRS]

In cases like in Florida, just how does one determine the intent of an insane voter?

[elkfersupper]

Sorry, I got booted off dial-up connection for a while. Ahhh! The pleasures of rural life.

This is yet another example of political correctness run amok. Ballot authors object to perfectly sensible language circa 1927.

[elkfersupper]

Indeed. One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly, hoping for a different result.

[GailA]

Because so many of their core constituents have been in jail/prison the dems are screaming BIG time to reenfrancise them. I mean after all you can't afford to lose one voter simply cause he's a killer or rapist who has been released early on parole.

[weikel]

Like idiots can't vote already?

[elkfersupper]

Pardon me, but Dan Quayle was the same kind of "idiot" as Ronald Reagan. Back to DU for U.

[astudent]

Recently, in Wisconsin, for most election, the majority of voters have been idiots.

[elkfersupper]

Don't be so hard on yourself. It's everywhere. I am very concerned about the future of the Republic. The people in my household are forced to think. I'm not so sure about everyone else's