Constitutional Amendment 4Pay state lawmakers a salary tied to median household income
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State amendments and bond questions (PDF)
In plain words
Today New Mexico's 112 lawmakers get no salary. They get per diem (daily money for food and lodging, about $247 a day in Santa Fe in 2026) and mileage. This amendment would pay each lawmaker a yearly amount equal to New Mexico's median household income (the middle income: half of households earn more, half less), about $68,000 in 2026. Pay would go down if that income falls and up only if it rises. It would start with lawmakers seated in 2029. It also removes the ban on other perks or allowances; details would be set by law. (nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | None | Equal to NM median household income (about $68,000 in 2026) |
| Per diem and mileage | About $247 a day in Santa Fe; $0.725 a mile | Set by law; the ban on other perks or allowances is removed |
| Starts | No salary | Lawmakers seated in the 59th Legislature, 2029 |
Numbers come from the official ballot title and from the full text and analyses cited on this page, not from the title alone (ballot title ); also see (nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature) )
Biggest change
- Each legislator would be paid an amount equal to New Mexico's annual median household income, starting in 2029. source: nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature)
- Removes the constitution's ban on other perks or allowances for legislators. source: nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature)
Who it affects most: State lawmakers and people thinking of running for the Legislature; taxpayers who would fund the salaries.
Cost to the state: The Legislative Finance Committee fiscal impact report (updated February 16, 2026) estimates about $7.6 million a year for salaries, using 112 legislators and a $67,800 household income figure; it leaves out employer payroll taxes and benefits. This is a dated estimate with assumptions, not a final appropriation: salaries would start in 2029 and be set by law later.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
State lawmakers would get a salary equal to the state's median household income, starting in 2029.
No legislative salary is added; existing per diem, mileage and retirement arrangements remain.
Our one-line summary. New Mexico does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Legislators get per diem and mileage only; the constitution bars other perks or allowances. source: nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature)
Why supporters want it
- The Legislative Council Service lists: pay would let lawmakers cut back outside work, let people who cannot afford unpaid time serve, and help the Legislature keep up with the other branches. source: nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature)
Why opponents object
- The Legislative Council Service lists: paid incumbents could have an edge over challengers, New Mexico would pay more than many states, there are no limits on outside income, and key details (benefits, which income figure to use) are left for later laws. source: nmlegis.gov (New Mexico Legislature)
Who backs each side
- Named supporters, opponents and any campaign committees have not been found yet. Source NM's Amendment 4 story (linked) was not read. source: sourcenm.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official list of constitutional amendments and bond questions .
Proposing to amend Article 4, Section 10 of the Constitution of New Mexico to allow legislative compensation that is limited to the median household income for New Mexico, to require legislative compensation to be reduced if the median household income for New Mexico falls, to allow legislative compensation to be increased only if the median household income for New Mexico rises and to provide for delayed implementation.
FOR
AGAINST
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's publication "2026 General Election: Statewide Constitutional Amendments and General Obligation Bonds" (English section), page 2. That shorter publication prints the question but not the choice words. The full 2026 Voter Guide prints FOR and AGAINST for the questions; we have not checked county ballot layouts, so confirm the words on your sample ballot.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
Read it in the Secretary of State amendments and bond questions (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 constitutional amendments and statewide bond questions (PDF)
- Legislative Council Service: 2026 constitutional amendments (PDF)
- Source NM: Constitutional Amendment 4
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.