New Mexico close to expanding voter registrations

The Democratic-majority New Mexico House pushed through legislation Tuesday night that would automatically register eligible voters whenever they do business with the state Motor Vehicle Division. No Republicans backed the bill, voicing concerns about voter fraud or easy registration by illegal immigrants. It now has strong odds of being cleared by a state Senate where Democrats have lopsided control.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said the bill has the potential to increase voter participation by 30 percent, or about 385,000 people, in a state that has become reliably blue in presidential and congressional races.