Hand v. Winter

Summary

The New Mexico Supreme Court held that the Secretary of State had a clear, indisputable duty under NMSA 1978 § 1‑8‑8(A) to place the governor‑appointed judge’s name on the November general‑election ballot, and therefore denied the petition for a writ of mandamus. The Court also clarified that the governor lacks authority to place his appointee on the ballot; placement is governed by the Election Code and the central party committee’s nomination.