LIVE WEBCAST: Governor Richardson Signs Paper Ballot Bill Thursday Morning

At last! Senator Linda Lopez's bill requiring paper ballots and optical-scan machines to be used in all New Mexico counties (SB 295) will be signed by Governor Bill Richardson tomorrow morning:

March 2, at 11:00 AM
Second Floor, Santa Fe County Building
102 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe

The chamber holds about 200 people, and election reform activists are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Terry Riley at this email if you plan on coming.

The bill signing ceremony will also be WEBCAST LIVE as it happens. This link will go live tomorrow morning, where you can watch the bill signing on your computer:

Governor Richardson's leadership on this issue, coupled with long hours and hard work by a multitude of grassroots activists, election reform groups and legislators, makes our state a model for others facing similar challenges.

As we've said before, this is a major victory in the campaign to have our votes counted accurately. DNC Chair Howard Dean also noted the importance of this successful effort when he visited New Mexico last week.

Be a part of history: attend the bill signing in person or by checking out the live webcast!

Click to view two statements released by Governor Bill Richardson on this important event: Download Email-Announcement.doc and Download OpenLetter.doc.

For background on the paper ballot bill and how it came to be, check out these earlier posts on DFNM (latest posts come first):

Victory on Paper Ballots!

Paper Ballots Bill Passes House

Paper Ballots Bill Passes Senate

Paper Ballots Bill Heads to Senate

Paper Ballots Bill Passes in Senate Rules Committee Despite Republican Rants

Push Now for Senate Paper Ballots Bill

Click to Support Paper Ballot Bills

NM County Clerks Balk As Paper Ballot Legislation Moves Forward

NM Sen. Lopez Introduces Paper Ballot Voting Machine Bill

A Message From Paul Stokes

Agreement Reached On NM Voting Machine Purchase Freeze

NM Voters Seek Order Barring Purchase of More Touchscreen Voting Machines

Further Investigation Reveals NM Voting Machine Purchase May Violate State Law

Report: Yesterday's Election Reform Task Force Meeting