New Mexico
State Constitution
Constitution Text
Preamble
We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article I: – Name and Boundaries
Section 1: Full Text
The name of this state is New Mexico, and its boundaries are as follows: Beginning at the point where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude intersects the one hundred and third meridian west from Greenwich; thence along said one hundred and third meridian to the thirty-second parallel of north latitude; thence along said thirty-second parallel to the Rio Grande, also known as the Rio Bravo del Norte, as it existed on the ninth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty; thence, following the main channel of said river, as it existed on the ninth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty, to the parallel of thirty-one degrees forty-seven minutes north latitude; thence west one hundred miles to a point; thence south to the parallel of thirty-one degrees twenty minutes north latitude; thence along said parallel of thirty-one degrees twenty minutes, to the thirty-second meridian of longitude west from Washington; thence along said thirty-second meridian to the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude; thence along said thirty-seventh parallel to the point of beginning.
Article II: Bill of Rights
Section 1: [Supreme law of the land.]
The state of New Mexico is an inseparable part of the federal union, and the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.
Section 2: [Popular sovereignty.]
All political power is vested in and derived from the people: all government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will and is instituted solely for their good.
Section 3: [Right of self-government.]
The people of the state have the sole and exclusive right to govern themselves as a free, sovereign and independent state.
Section 4: [Inherent rights.]
All persons are born equally free, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of seeking and obtaining safety and happiness.
Section 5: [Rights under Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo preserved.]
The rights, privileges and immunities, civil, political and religious guaranteed to the people of New Mexico by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo shall be preserved inviolate.
Section 6: [Right to bear arms.]
No law shall abridge the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. No municipality or county shall regulate, in any way, an incident of the right to keep and bear arms. (As amended November 2, 1971 and November 2, 1986.)
Section 7: [Habeas corpus.]
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall never be suspended, unless, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety requires it.
Section 8: [Freedom of elections.]
All elections shall be free and open, and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.
Section 9: [Military power subordinate; quartering of soldiers.]
The military shall always be in strict subordination to the civil power; no soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war except in the manner prescribed by law.
Section 10: [Searches and seizures.]
The people shall be secure in their persons, papers, homes and effects, from unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search any place, or seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing the place to be searched, or the persons or things to be seized, nor without a written showing of probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.
Section 11: [Freedom of religion.]
Every man shall be free to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and no person shall ever be molested or denied any civil or political right or privilege on account of his religious opinion or mode of religious worship. No person shall be required to attend any place of worship or support any religious sect or denomination; nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.
Section 12: [Trial by jury; less than unanimous verdicts in civil cases.]
The right of trial by jury as it has heretofore existed shall be secured to all and remain inviolate. In all cases triable in courts inferior to the district court the jury may consist of six. The legislature may provide that verdicts in civil cases may be rendered by less than a unanimous vote of the jury.
Section 13: [Bail; excessive fines; cruel and unusual punishment.]
All persons shall, before conviction be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great and in situations in which bail is specifically prohibited by this section. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted. Bail may be denied by the district court for a period of sixty days after the incarceration of the defendant by an order entered within seven days after the incarceration, in the following instances:
Section 14: [Indictment and information; grand juries; rights of accused.] (1993)
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, felonious or infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury or information filed by a district attorney or attorney general or their deputies, except in cases arising in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger. No person shall be so held on information without having had a preliminary examination before an examining magistrate, or having waived such preliminary examination. A grand jury shall be composed of such number, not less than twelve, as may be prescribed by law. Citizens only, residing in the county for which a grand jury may be convened and qualified as prescribed by law, may serve on a grand jury. Concurrence necessary for the finding of an indictment by a grand jury shall be prescribed by law; provided, such concurrence shall never be by less than a majority of those who compose a grand jury, and, provided, at least eight must concur in finding an indictment when a grand jury is composed of twelve in number. Until otherwise prescribed by law a grand jury shall be composed of twelve in number of which eight must concur in finding an indictment. A grand jury shall be convened upon order of a judge of a court empowered to try and determine cases of capital, felonious or infamous crimes at such times as to him shall be deemed necessary, or a grand jury shall be ordered to convene by such judge upon the filing of a petition therefor signed by not less than the greater of two hundred registered voters or two percent of the registered voters of the county, or a grand jury may be convened in any additional manner as may be prescribed by law. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to appear and defend himself in person, and by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have the charge and testimony interpreted to him in a language that he understands; to have compulsory process to compel the attendance of necessary witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. (As amended November 4, 1924, effective January 1, 1925, November 4, 1980, and November 8, 1994.)
Section 15: [Self-incrimination; double jeopardy.]
No person shall be compelled to testify against himself in a criminal proceeding, nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense; and when the indictment, information or affidavit upon which any person is convicted charges different offenses or different degrees of the same offense and a new trial is granted the accused, he may not again be tried for an offense or degree of the offense greater than the one of which he was convicted.
Section 16: [Treason.]
Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war against it, adhering to its enemies, or giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
Section 17: [Freedom of speech and press; libel.]
Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted.
Section 18: [Due process; equal protection; sex discrimination.]
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor shall any person be denied equal protection of the laws. Equality of rights under law shall not be denied on account of the sex of any person. (As amended November 7, 1972, effective July 1, 1973).
Section 19: [Retroactive laws; bills of attainder; impairment of contracts.]
No ex post facto law, bill of attainder nor law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be enacted by the legislature.
Section 20: [Eminent domain.]
Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation.
Section 21: [Imprisonment for debt.]
No person shall be imprisoned for debt in any civil action.
Section 22: [Alien landownership.]
Until otherwise provided by law no alien, ineligible to citizenship under the laws of the United States, or corporation, copartnership or association, a majority of the stock or interest in which is owned or held by such aliens, shall acquire title, leasehold or other interest in or to real estate in New Mexico. (As amended September 20, 1921. Repealed November 7, 2006 with the vote for Constitutional Amendment 1.)
Section 23: [Reserved rights.]
The enumeration in this constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny, impair or disparage others retained by the people.
Article III: – Distribution of Powers
Section 1: [Separation of departments; establishment of workers compensation body.]
The powers of the government of this state are divided into three distinct departments, the legislative, executive and judicial, and no person or collection of persons charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments, shall exercise any powers properly belonging to either of the others, except as in this constitution otherwise expressly directed or permitted. Nothing in this section, or elsewhere in this constitution, shall prevent the legislature from establishing, by statute, a body with statewide jurisdiction other than the courts of this state for the determination of rights and liabilities between persons when those rights and liabilities arise from transactions or occurrences involving personal injury sustained in the course of employment by an employee. The statute shall provide for the type and organization of the body, the mode of appointment or election of its members and such other matters as the legislature may deem necessary or proper. (As amended November 4, 1986.) #### Explanatory Note. (1996) Leo M. Romero, Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law and Chair of the judicial nominating commissions established under Article VI, Sections 35 to 37 of the New Mexico Constitution, submits to the New Mexico Compilation Commission for publication the following Rules Governing the Judicial Nominating Commissions. To date, the rules have been adopted by the Appellate Judges Nominating Commission and the District Court Judges Nominating Committees for the Second, Third, Seventh and Eleventh Judicial Districts. The rules will be effective for those commissions on July 1, 1996. The rules will be presented for adoption by the Nominating Committees for the remaining judicial districts and for the metropolitan courts when those committees next convene, and will be effective for those committees as of the date they are adopted. #### Rules of the Judicial Nominating Commission. (1996)
Section 4: Evaluative Criteria .
The commissioners shall evaluate the applicants on the basis of the constitutional requirements and the following evaluative criteria: physical and mental ability to perform the tasks required impartiality industry integrity professional skills community involvement social awareness collegiality writing ability decisiveness judicial temperament speaking ability
Section 9: Recommendation to the Governor .
The chair shall send to the Governor, in alphabetical but unranked order, the names of the applicants recommended by the commission. The chair shall notify the media and all applicants of the commission's recommendation to the Governor.
Section 10: Forms .
#### Oath. (1996) I, __________________ , do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of the State of New Mexico; and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Commissioner, __________________ Judicial Nominating Commission, on which I am about to enter, to the best of my ability, SO HELP ME GOD. Commissioner's Signature Sworn and subscribed before me this ______________ day of ______________ , __________ . Notary's Signature Title My commission expires _________________________________________ (This oath, when executed, must be forwarded immediately to the Secretary of State at Santa Fe, New Mexico, accompanied by the filing fee of $1.00) #### Open Meetings Resolution. (1996) JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION OPEN MEETINGS RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the [Appellate] [________ Judicial District Court] [Metropolitan Court] Judges Nominating Commission ("Commission") met at __________________ on __________________ , __________ , at ________ , a.m./p.m. as required per law; and WHEREAS, Section 10-15-1(B) of the Open Meetings Act (NMSA 1978, Sections 10-15-1 to -4) states that, except as may be otherwise provided in the Constitution or the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, all meetings of a quorum of members of any board, council, commission, administrative adjudicatory body or other policymaking body of any state or local public agency held for the purpose of formulating public policy, discussing public business or for the purpose of taking any action within the authority of or the delegated authority of such body, are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times; and WHEREAS, any meetings subject to the Open Meetings Act at which the discussion or adoption of any proposed resolution, rule, regulation or formal action occurs shall be held only after reasonable notice to the public; and WHEREAS, Section 10-15-1(D) of the Open Meetings Act requires the Commission to determine annually what constitutes reasonable notice of its public meetings; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission that: If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact __________________ at __________________ at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact __________________ at __________________ if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed. #### Applicant Questionnaire. (1996) Name: JUDICIAL SELECTION COMMISSION FOR JUDICIAL VACANCY ON THE __________________ DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS __________________ 5:00 p.m. ##### APPLICANT QUESTIONNAIRE This questionnaire should be filed with the Chair of the Judicial Selection Commission no later than 5:00 p.m. ________ . Upon submission, it will be considered as a public document and will be open for inspection by anyone who requests to see it. If you wish to disclose any information that you think should be confidential, you may, in a separate letter, so indicate. Your application will then be treated as conditional pending the Commission's decision regarding your request for confidentiality. If the Commission denies your request, you will not be considered as a candidate and your application will be returned to you unless you elect to be considered a candidate with the information available on a non-confidential basis. Please type or use a word processor. 1. Full name: 2. Social Security Number: 3. County of residence: 7. Birthdate: 9. If married, give your spouse's full name, including maiden name where appropriate: 10. Spouse's occupation: 11. All places of residence, city and state, and approximate dates for last 10 years: 12. Schools attended, including preparatory, college and law, with dates and degrees: 13. Bar admissions and dates: 16. Public offices held and dates: 17. Activities in professional organizations, including offices held, for last 10 years: 18. Activities in civic organizations, including offices held, for last 10 years: 19. Avocational interests and hobbies: 20. Have you been addicted to the use of any substance within the last three years that would affect your ability to perform the essential duties of a judge? If so, please state the substance and what treatment received, if any: 21. Have you any mental or physical impairment that would affect your ability to perform the essential duties of a judge? If so, please specify: 22. If you have undergone treatment for an emotional or mental condition or illness that would affect your ability to perform the essential duties of a judge, please so indicate by a separate confidential letter and state the reason: 23. To your knowledge, has any formal charge of violation of any rules of professional conduct ever been filed against you in any jurisdiction? If so, when? How was it resolved? 24. Have you ever been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony other than a minor traffic offense? 25. Have you ever had a DWI or any criminal charge, other than a minor traffic offense, filed against you? If so, when? What was the outcome? 26. To your knowledge, is there any circumstance in your professional or personal life that creates a substantial question as to your qualifications to serve in the judicial position involved or which might interfere with your ability to so serve? 28. If you have served as a judge, has any formal charge of a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct been filed against you, and if so, how was it resolved? 29. Have you filed all federal, state and city tax returns that are now due or overdue, and are all tax payments up to date? If no, please explain. 30. Have you or any entity in which you have or had an interest ever filed a petition in bankruptcy, or has a petition in bankruptcy been filed against you? If so, please explain. 31. Are you presently an officer, director, partner, majority shareholder or holder of a substantial interest in any corporation, partnership or other business entity? If so, please list the entity and your relationship: 32. Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit other than a dissolution of marriage either as a plaintiff or as a defendant? If so, please supply details and give caption and cause number and date it was filed: 33. Please enclose one legal writing sample, such as a legal memorandum, opinion, or brief. If you had assistance from an associate, clerk or partner, indicate the extent of such assistance. 34. Attach a copy of a publication which you feel would be pertinent to the Commission's consideration of your qualifications: 35. Describe the nature of your law practice for at least the last six years, including the type of legal work, whether in trial or appellate courts, etc. Do you hold yourself out as a specialist in any areas? Do you limit your practice in any way? 37. Please explain your reasons for applying for a judicial position and what factors you believe indicate that you are well-suited for it. 38. Please submit a current resume. Submission of this questionnaire expresses my willingness to accept judicial appointment to the ________________________ if tendered by the Governor. ____________________________ Signature Type Name: __________________ Waiver of confidentiality - Professional Disciplinary Bodies and Judicial Disciplinary Bodies The undersigned applicant hereby waives, until the judicial position applied for is filled, the benefits of any statute, rule or regulation prescribing confidentiality of records of any administrative or disciplinary committee of the State of New Mexico, including but not limited to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court, the Board of Bar Examiners and the Judicial Standards Commission; and does authorize any of the above to furnish to the Judicial Nominating Commission, any such information, including documents, records, bar association files regarding charges or complaints filed against the undersigned, formal or informal, pending or closed, or any other pertinent data, and to permit the Judicial Nominating Commission or any of its members, agents or representatives to inspect and make copies of such documents, records, and other information. The undersigned does hereby release and discharge the Judicial Nominating Commission, its individual representatives, and any other person so furnishing information from any and all liability of every nature and kind arising out of the furnishing of information so provided concerning the applicant. The undersigned also expressly consents to the release of his/her name and this form to the public in the sole discretion of the Judicial Nominating Commission. Date: STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF____________ The undersigned, upon oath, deposes and states as follows: that he/she is the person whose signature appears hereinabove on the instrument entitled, "Waiver of Confidentiality - Professional Disciplinary Bodies and Judicial Disciplinary Bodies"; that he/she has read the same and is aware of the content thereof; that the same is true and correct according to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned; and that he/she executed the same freely and voluntarily. SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me on this __________ day of ______________ , ________ . ______________________________ Notary Public My commission expires ——————————
Section 1: [Vesting of legislative power; location of sessions; referendum on legislation.]
The legislative power shall be vested in a senate and house of representatives which shall be designated the legislature of the state of New Mexico, and shall hold its sessions at the seat of government. The people reserve the power to disapprove, suspend and annul any law enacted by the legislature, except general appropriation laws; laws providing for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety; for the payment of the public debt or interest thereon, or the creation or funding of the same, except as in this constitution otherwise provided; for the maintenance of the public schools or state institutions, and local or special laws. Petitions disapproving any law other than those above excepted, enacted at the last preceding session of the legislature, shall be filed with the secretary of state not less than four months prior to the next general election. Such petitions shall be signed by not less than ten per centum of the qualified electors of each of three-fourths of the counties and in the aggregate by not less than ten per centum of the qualified electors of the state, as shown by the total number of votes cast at the last preceding general election. The question of the approval or rejection of such law shall be submitted by the secretary of state to the electorate at the next general election; and if a majority of the legal votes cast thereon, and not less than forty per centum of the total number of legal votes cast at such general election, be cast for the rejection of such law, it shall be annulled and thereby repealed with the same effect as if the legislature had then repealed it, and such repeal shall revive any law repealed by the act so annulled; otherwise, it shall remain in force unless subsequently repealed by the legislature. If such petition or petitions be signed by not less than twenty-five per centum of the qualified electors under each of the foregoing conditions, and be filed with the secretary of state within ninety days after the adjournment of the session of the legislature at which such law was enacted, the operation thereof shall be thereupon suspended and the question of its approval or rejection shall be likewise submitted to a vote at the next ensuing general election. If a majority of the votes cast thereon and not less than forty per centum of the total number of votes cast at such general election be cast for its rejection, it shall be thereby annulled; otherwise, it shall go into effect upon publication of the certificate of the secretary of state declaring the result of the vote thereon. It shall be a felony for any person to sign any such petition with any name other than his own, or to sign his name more than once for the same measure, or to sign such petition when he is not a qualified elector in the county specified in such petition; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the writing thereon of the name of any person who cannot write, and who signs the same with his mark. The legislature shall enact laws necessary for the effective exercise of the power hereby reserved.
Source: Imported from all_50_state_constitutions_FINAL.md
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
Overview
The New Mexico Constitution of 1912 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
New Mexico was admitted to the Union on January 6, 1912.
The current constitution was adopted in 1912. State constitutions are often amended more frequently than the federal Constitution, reflecting changing needs and values of state residents.
Structure of Government
Legislative
State Legislature
Executive
Governor & Cabinet
Judicial
State Courts
Bill of Rights
Like the U.S. Constitution, the New Mexico Constitution includes protections for individual rights and liberties. State constitutions often provide broader protections than the federal Constitution, serving as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for rights.