Gov. Susana Martinez says she would support a Democratic plan allowing voters without a party affiliation to cast ballots in New Mexico primary elections.
The Republican told the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday it's important for all voters to be allowed to participate in primaries.
Those remarks contradict an earlier statement by New Mexico Republican Party Chairman John Billingsley, who said allowing independent voters to participate in major party primaries would "dilute" elections.
But party spokeswoman Emily Strickler says after hearing of Martinez's support for expanded primaries, the Republican Party chairman said he would reconsider his position.
New Mexico has for decades allowed only registered Republicans or Democrats to participate in their parties' respective primary elections. Some independent and decline-to-state voters contend they are disenfranchised by the system.
Information from: Albuquerque Journal.
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