Emergency application
Ballot access petitions
New Mexico Forward Party v. Maggie Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State
What did the Court do?
The Court denied the request on September 17, 2026, so nothing changes while the case continues in the lower courts.
Emergency rulings are temporary and do not decide the underlying case.
What's being asked
The New Mexico Forward Party and five of its nominees ask the Supreme Court to block New Mexico's ballot petition rules while their appeal continues. They say a newly qualified party must gather signatures, and each nominee must file a separate petition to appear on the ballot. They argue the extra petitions make it too hard for the party to field candidates. They sued the New Mexico secretary of state and a county clerk.
What the Court did
Justice Gorsuch refused the emergency request and denied (turned down) the application. The ruling does not decide whether New Mexico's ballot rules are lawful; the Court did not publish how the justices voted.
What it means
The emergency ruling addresses only immediate relief and does not decide who wins the underlying dispute. The underlying appeal continues in the Tenth Circuit; the record lists no related Supreme Court merits case or argument.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the Supreme Court docket, orders, and opinions for No. 26A357. The answers restate that record in plain words; explainer copy is written from the record and the filings only.