A hearing is scheduled on a lawsuit that could radically transform New Mexico's two-party primary system.
State District Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd is expected Tuesday to weigh in on a lawsuit filed by 45-year-old David Crum on behalf of the state's 250,000 independent voters. The Albuquerque resident is seeking to allow people the right to pick a party on the day of the primary so they can vote.
Currently, New Mexico's state elections only let Republicans and Democrats vote during primary elections — something critics say contributes to low voter turnout.
Officials said voter turnout dropped 8 percent in New Mexico's June primary election, with only one in five Democratic and Republican voters casting ballots last year.
The Republican Party of New Mexico wants the lawsuit dismissed.
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