NMSA 3-16-3. Approval of charter at election; legislative body for

3-16-3. Approval of charter at election; legislative body for combined organization. If the propositions submitted to the electors shall carry in both election units, and if the charter shall be approved by the majority of electors voting on the question, it may become the organic law of the combined city and county government and shall be effective as hereinafter provided. If the charter is rejected, in the event approval is given for the consolidation, the governing body of the city and county shall, within sixty days thereafter, provide for a new charter committee as hereinbefore set forth for the purpose of framing a new proposed charter which shall be done and submitted to the voters in like manner, and this procedure shall be followed until a proposed charter for such combined city and county government is approved by the electors. The charter, when adopted, may be revised or amended as provided in the charter or bylaw for such charters. The governing body of the city and the board of county commissioners shall be the first legislative authority of the combined municipal organization and they shall continue in office until the terms for which each was elected expires, and no successor shall be elected or appointed under the combined municipal organization charter until the number of said body falls below the number provided in the city and county charter. History: 1953 Comp., § 14-15-3, enacted by Laws 1965, ch. 300.