Constitutional Amendment 1Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
End the pocket veto
Explain it like I'm 5
A governor can currently let some bills die by doing nothing. This change would make a bill become law if the governor does not sign or veto it on time, while requiring written reasons for vetoes.
Yes vote
Bills not signed or vetoed within the required period become law, and vetoes must include written explanations.
No vote
The current pocket-veto rules remain.
The question to ask yourself
Should gubernatorial silence allow a bill to become law?
The case for
- Makes veto decisions more visible to voters and lawmakers.
- Prevents bills from dying silently after the legislative session.
- Gives the Legislature a clearer role in the lawmaking process.
Backed by: New Mexico Business Coalition, Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club
The case against
- A governor may have little time to review late-session bills.
- Written explanations could create disputes about whether a veto is adequate.
- An ignored bill could become law despite unresolved concerns.
Opposed by: No organized opposition found
- Money
- There is no direct tax or spending effect stated for this procedural change.
- Don't be misled
- It does not abolish the veto, because the governor could still veto within the required period and explain the decision.