Human Rights and Civic Participation
Featured Content
Imagine not being counted
The recent decision to include a question on citizenship status in the 2020 decennial Census is certain to increase the number of people who won’t respond to the census. And that’s exactly the political motivation behind the decision to include a question that hasn’t been asked since 1950. This change will be particularly bad for New Mexico. (Blog post)
Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Advocacy in New Mexico
Learn the ins and outs of working with your legislators to promote an important policy or cause. (A Fiscal Policy Project publication; Updated March 2018)
NM KIDS are COUNTing on Us
For the third straight year, New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation for child well-being. It will take a comprehensive and focused set of strategies, and the political and public will to make them a reality, to improve child well-being in New Mexico. This policy agenda, based on the metrics used to measure child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, offers one such approach. (Policy agenda; updated June 2016)
Recent Publications
Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Advocacy in New Mexico
Learn the ins and outs of working with your legislators to promote an important policy or cause. (A Fiscal Policy Project publication)
Citizen’s Guide to New Mexico’s Tax System
Learn the basics of New Mexico’s tax system—where the state gets its tax revenue to pay for public programs—in this simple, easy-to-use guide. (A Fiscal Policy Project publication)
Recent Blog Posts
Imagine not being counted
The recent decision to include a question on citizenship status in the 2020 decennial Census is certain to increase the number of people who won’t respond to the census. And that’s exactly the political motivation behind the decision to include a question that hasn’t been asked since 1950. This change will be particularly bad for New Mexico.
Democracy and lots of money are at stake for New Mexico in the upcoming census
When it comes to the census, it pays to be counted. The next big census is less than three years away, and a lot is at stake for New Mexico. Besides being used to determine voting districts, data from the 2020 census will translate to almost $3,000 coming into the state per person, per year for the next decade.
Recent News Coverage
Underfunded, undercounted: New Mexico at risk in the 2020 census
“That means that New Mexico will receive fewer Medicaid dollars, fewer SNAP dollars, fewer Title 1 grants for schools, less money for our school lunch program, and less funding for Head Start,” said Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children.
Advocate Says Election Could Bring More Help For Rural N.M. Kids
“Everyone says that our children are our most important asset, but it doesn’t really mean much if you’re not putting your votes behind the programs that really make a difference,” he said.
Resources
Vote! Your County Clerk’s office can tell you where to register and vote. The Secretary of State’s Office also has information on voter registration, voter rights, and elections in New Mexico. The League of Women Voters of Central NM also provides contact information for voter registration, political parties, and elected officials at the state and local levels.
Advocate for Issues You Care About Meet with, write or call your legislator or congress person about an issue that concerns you. They really do appreciate hearing from you. Not sure who represents you in Santa Fe and Washington? Find out here.
Know Your Rights Do you believe your constitutional rights have been violated? Contact the ACLU of New Mexico to see if you may have a legal case.