Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2014 Albuquerque Journal Contact: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10 GOP LEADER GETS POT PETITION COPIES SANTA FE - The fight over decriminalizing marijuana in Santa Fe is heating up, even though it's still not clear whether a petition drive to get the issue before voters will be successful. ProgressNow New Mexico is crying foul over a Republican Party leader using a public records request to obtain copies of pot decriminalization petitions from the city clerk's office. Voters "exercised their democratic rights by signing names and addresses to a city clerk's petition, not a Republican voter target list," stated an email from ProgressNow on Wednesday. "Technically, they are public records. We don't argue that," said ProgressNow's Pat Davis. But he said "they're not even finished with the work to certify the petitions and they (the GOP) are already making preparations for a pre-emptive challenge." Orlando Baca, chairman of the Republican Party of Santa Fe County, confirmed he'd obtained the copies and said it's possible they could be used to challenge the petition effort. "With something this important, you want to make sure things are done right," he said. Friday, City Clerk Yolanda Vigil said 3,569 of the 7,048 signatures turned in July 15 were validated as those of registered city voters, leaving supporters 2,194 short of getting the measure on the ballot. Her office is still accepting petitions because petitioners are allowed 90 days. The clock started June 24. The petition would make possessing less than an ounce of marijuana a civil infraction with a fine up to $25. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D