SECESSION OF COUNTIES FROM NM, CA

HJR10

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 10

57
th legislature
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
second session
, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Randall T. Pettigrew
and
Jimmy G. Mason

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW
MEXICO TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE STATE TO CONSENT TO THE
SECESSION OF THREE OR MORE CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
It is proposed to amend Article 1 of the

constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

"The state of New Mexico consents to the secession of
three or more contiguous counties if:

A. no less than fifteen percent of the qualified
electors in each of the contiguous counties sign a petition
requesting that the county hold a special election on the
question of whether the counties should secede to be admitted
to the union as a new state or join an adjoining state;

B. the counties each hold a special election, at
which no less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the
qualified electors in each of the counties are cast in favor of
seceding;

C. the county commission of each of the counties

unanimously resolves to join with the other contiguous counties
to secede;

D. each county pays any outstanding debt to the
state or the instrumentalities of the state; and

E. congress passes a law that is signed by the
president of the United States that provides consent for the
counties to secede."

SECTION 2.
The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection at the next general election or at any special
election prior to that date that may be called for that
purpose.

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