1. PRESENTED BY FOUNDER AND FORMER STATE REP. BOB PERLS nmopenprimaries.org

2.  New Mexico Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantees the right to vote.  Numerous Supreme Court decisions uphold concept that party-run primaries are public elections

3.  Bob Perls is a registered independent voter.  Backing no horse in the partisan races.

5. Primaries are open or closed meaning a political party is the gatekeeper of who can vote.

6. New Mexico has a closed primary system meaning independent voters can’t vote in primary elections.

7.  Taxpayers fund primary elections.  25 percent of New Mexicans and 45 percent of Americans are registered independent but are excluded from elections.  New Mexico anti-donation clause prohibits tax dollars from going to private organization.

8. Open primaries exist in over half the states and there are three options:

9. First and simplest on the reform continuum is allowing independents only to vote in party primaries.

10. Second, allow anyone to vote in either a Democratic or Republican primary.

11. Third, remove the power from political parties to control the first round elections and create a non-partisan (no labels) primary where all voters can vote and candidates run without party affiliation.

12.  Nebraska, Washington and California have open, non-partisan primaries with the top two voter getters going to the general election.  Candidates and politicians now listen to a broad spectrum of opinions from the beginning.  More compromise, more coalition building  More problem solving!

13.  What can you do?  Take a brochure  Volunteer to host a house party  Donate  “Like” us on Facebook and share our FB page with friends.  Follow us on Twitter  Call your Representatives and Senators

14.  Contact info:  Bob Perls, Executive Director  Phone: 505-259-2377  Address: 644 Dixon Road, Corrales, NM 87048  Web site: www.nmopenprimaries.comwww.nmopenprimaries.com  Make checks out to New Mexico Open Primaries or donate on-line on the NMOP web site listed above.