New Mexico Voters Will Decide University Regent Amendment
A proposed amendment on the November 2026 ballot will reform how regents are selected for state universities.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should university regents be chosen by nominating committees rather than the governor?
New Mexico voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide the fate of Constitutional Amendment 3. This ballot measure seeks to change the selection process for university regents at 10 public higher education institutions across the state.
Why it matters
The amendment aims to ensure that universities are governed by qualified individuals rather than solely by political appointees. It shifts power from the governor's office to independent nominating committees to improve accountability.
Constitutional Amendment 3 limits committee members to no more than 50% from a single political party. The measure impacts the governing boards of 10 public higher education institutions across New Mexico.
The players
New Mexico Legislature
The state governing body passed the resolution to place the amendment on the ballot after a 34-7 Senate vote and a unanimous House vote.
Joseph Shepard
The former Western New Mexico University President has been accused by the state attorney general of mishandling taxpayer dollars.
The details
Under the current system, the governor has sole discretion to nominate regents subject to Senate confirmation. If the amendment passes, governors will be required to select non-student regents from lists provided by nominating committees, while student regents will be chosen from candidates nominated by student governments.
Timeline
The resolution to place the amendment on the ballot was introduced in January 2026.
Voters will decide the outcome of the amendment in November 2026.
Political Context
Critics of the measure may argue that shifting selection powers to nominating committees could create a new layer of bureaucracy, potentially limiting the governor's executive authority. Opposition might also center on concerns regarding how the Legislature intends to regulate the appointment of committee members.
The passage of this amendment would mandate a new, vetted process for selecting university leaders in New Mexico. Residents will have the final say on whether to restrict gubernatorial appointment powers at state institutions during the November election.
The takeaway
This measure reflects a broader move to minimize political influence over university governing boards. Voters will determine if the proposed committee-based system provides more transparency than the current gubernatorial appointment process.
Further reading
For more background on upcoming ballot measures, visit New Mexico Elections.
Live Poll
Should university regents be chosen by nominating committees rather than the governor?
