Voters would decide how New Mexico selects education regents

A nominating committee would give the governor a list of candidates for nonstudent regent seats. This would apply to each state educational institution named in Article 12, Section 11 of the New Mexico Constitution. The legislature would set each committee’s membership, terms, powers and duties. Voters would consider the amendment at the next general election, or at an earlier special election called for that purpose.

The governor would choose student regents from a list provided by an elected student governing body. This would apply to student regent seats, including the University of New Mexico seat. The governor’s selection would require the advice and consent of the senate. Voters would consider the amendment at the next general election, or at an earlier special election called for that purpose.

Regents and nominating committee members would face limits tied to party affiliation and recent party registration changes. Regents and nominating committee members at the covered state educational institutions would be subject to these rules. For regents, the party-registration rule would not apply to student members. The limits on how many regents may share a party would differ by institution. The regent restriction would cover the 12 months before appointment. Voters would consider the amendment at the next general election, or at an earlier special election called for that purpose.