Vote for Change and NM CAFe will host a canvass kickoff focused on the proposed constitutional amendment to allow salaries for New Mexico legislators

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A statewide campaign supporting Constitutional Amendment 4 will launch its Community Voices Tour in Las Cruces on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a community canvass aimed at talking directly with voters about the proposal.

Vote for Change will host the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in partnership with NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fe, or NM CAFe, at 526 S. Alameda Blvd.

Volunteers will canvass Las Cruces neighborhoods and speak with voters about Amendment 4, which would allow New Mexico legislators to receive a limited salary.

New Mexico is currently the only state without a salary for lawmakers. Supporters of the amendment argue the unpaid system creates a financial barrier for working people who cannot afford to leave their jobs or go without regular income while serving in the Legislature.

“Southern New Mexicans know what their communities need because they live these challenges every day,” NM CAFe Executive Director Sylvia Ulloa said in a statement. “Amendment 4 is about making sure more everyday people can have their voices heard in our Legislature.”

Ulloa said the Las Cruces event will begin the campaign’s effort to build support through direct conversations with voters.

Vote for Change Campaign Manager Eli Cuna said the campaign plans to reach voters across New Mexico during the eight weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

“There is no substitute for talking with people face-to-face,” Cuna said. “This tour is about taking Amendment 4 directly to voters and building a campaign powered by the people and communities who have the most to gain from a Legislature that better reflects New Mexico.”

Additional Community Voices Tour stops are planned in Farmington, Hobbs, Roswell, Santa Fe and Albuquerque throughout September.

Campaign events may include voter outreach, community gatherings, campaign education, training and opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

More information is available at http://voteforchangenm.com/.