In a year when incumbents weren't popular, a constitutional amendment that would have let county officials serve three consecutive terms rather than the current limit of two was overwhelmingly rejected by New Mexico voters on Tuesday.

The measure, known as Amendment 2, was losing with more than 80 percent of voters opposed.

The amendment had been proposed before and defeated by New Mexico voters, but continued to find advocates including the New Mexico Association of Counties, a publicly funded organization that lobbies on behalf of county governments, among other activities

The five-member Santa Fe County Commission had endorsed the amendment on a 4-1 vote in July. Proponents argued that an additional term would increase county officials' ability to focus on long-term policies and projects.

Another amendment apparently rejected by voters on Tuesday would have allowed "the appointment of certain former members of the Legislature to civil offices in the state." That measure — Amendment 5 — was failing with more than 75 percent opposed.

With the vote count still under way, other measures appeared to be winning on Tuesday night, including Amendment 4 to allow a property-tax exemption for some veterans' organizations.

Amendment 1, to offer free tuition to war veterans from New Mexico, appeared to be winning easily. The proposed tuition exemption would allow an exception to New Mexico's anti-donation clause to let the state exempt certain veterans from paying tuition at state-run colleges and universities. Currently, the state has such a scholarship program only for Vietnam veterans.

Voters also had to decide on four statewide bond issues that would provide more than $175 million for senior citizens' centers, libraries, public schools and colleges and universities.

Most of the money — more than $155 million — was in Bond D for higher education — and that was failing Tuesday by a slim margin.

Voters were more supportive of bonds for senior centers, libraries and kindergarten and school book purchases — those three measures appeared headed for approval with final vote totals still pending.

Private fundraising arms of the state's colleges and universities contributed more than $270,000 to a political committee that pushed for approval of the higher education capital improvements.

General obligation bonds are backed by property taxes.



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