What New Mexico constitutional amendments 1-3 would change

New Mexico’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot will include four proposed constitutional amendments. The first three concern the governor’s handling of legislation, the timing of school elections and appointments to public university governing boards.

Proposed constitutional amendments reach voters through joint resolutions sponsored by state lawmakers. A fourth measure, addressing salaries for legislators, will also appear on the ballot.

Amendment 1: Governor’s vetoes

Amendment 1 would require the governor to issue a written explanation when vetoing a bill. It also would make a bill law if the governor neither signs nor vetoes it by the applicable deadline.

Under the current process, inaction can result in a “pocket veto”: The bill does not become law, and the governor does not have to explain the decision.

Arguments identified by the Legislative Council Service say the amendment could increase transparency and adjust the balance among state government’s branches. Arguments against it say the requirement could be burdensome or unnecessary and question what would count as a substantive veto explanation.

Amendments 2 and 3: Education governance

Amendment 2 would remove the constitutional requirement that school elections be held in odd-numbered years. That change would give school districts more flexibility over when to place matters such as bond questions before voters.

Supporters say holding a school question during a general election could reach more voters. Placing it on that ballot also would shift election costs from an individual school district to the state.

Amendment 3 would reduce the governor’s authority to nominate regents who oversee New Mexico’s public universities. All three amendments will be decided separately by voters on the general election ballot.