AG clears route to I-25/Paseo ballot

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The attorney general now says a question to approve money for the Paseo del Norte-Interstate 25 interchange can appear on the November ballot as long as the city follows state election rules.

The city is asking voters to approve $50 million, just over half the money needed for the first phase of the interchange makeover.

At first the AG's office said the city issue wasn't allowed on a general election ballot, which is limited to county and state issues.

But on Wednesday Attorney General Gary King announced it would be OK to add the city question to the ballot as long as the Albuquerque City Council waives the voter ID requirement.

The city makes voters show their IDs before they vote, something you don't have to do with a state or county ballot.

Of course the election could be avoided altogether if the city council votes to approve the money without putting it on the ballot. Councilors rejected the idea last spring but will consider it again at their Sept. 5 meeting.

Bypassing voters requires a seven-vote supermajority of councilors voting yes. It failed last time 6-3.