With the Legislature set to adjourn on Thursday, lawmakers are trying to wrap up work on the paper ballot bill.

The House approved the bill on a 38-24 vote and the proposal returns to the Senate for possible final approval.

Governor Richardson advocates the move to paper ballots for all voting statewide to help rebuild public confidence in elections.

The bill does not set a firm deadline for counties to move to paper ballot voting systems. Instead, the switch will be required once there’s enough money to replace existing equipment, obtain needed software, buy paper ballots for all counties and cover debts that counties have for electronic voting machines that will be eliminated.