https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/new...ys/3245650002/

Artesia State Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54) vowed a legal fight against Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and her rejection of a petition to overturn New Mexico’s expanded background check law.

Toulouse Oliver determined Friday that the proposed petition referendum did not satisfy the necessary technical and legal requirements of New Mexico law, read a news release from the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State.

“We understand our options and are prepared to pursue remedies through the courts if necessary,” Townsend said.

On March 7, Townsend and Farmington House Minority Whip Rep. Rod Montoya (R-1) sent a letter to Toulouse Oliver of their desire to initiate a referendum petition to overturn Senate Bill 8, signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham days before the 2019 New Mexico Legislative session ended March 16.
Toulouse Oliver received a draft petition referendum from Townsend on March 11, per the release.

“Her rejecting the draft petition was not surprising or unexpected,” Townsend said. “She is politically charged, and I expected her response to be along those lines.”

In Friday’s letter to Townsend, Toulouse Oliver determined the legal deficiencies of the draft petition and listed why she was unable to approve and certify the petition for circulation, read the release.
“The Secretary of State noted five items that she believed kept her from approving the draft petition,” Townsend said. “Our attorneys believe four of those are easily curable and we are in the process of addressing those issues.”

One of the key deficiencies noted in the release are that laws providing for the public peace, health and safety are not subject to referendum.

“New Mexico courts have consistently ruled that legislation is exempt from referendum under the New Mexico Constitution if the legislation ‘bears a valid reasonable relationship of public peace, health or safety,’" per the release.

Townsend is confident the courts will side with New Mexico House Republicans.

“Yes, I do believe we will prevail because this isn’t a political party issue,” he said. “It's not about Democrats or Republicans, it is about freedom and rights.

"We have had hundreds of people contact us from both parties and ask us to continue to represent them and we will. So yes, I believe voters still have a chance of having their voices and votes heard, even in New Mexico.”
My take: Keep up the fight. Maybe it will dampen their enthusiasm for passing any more stupid gun laws.