NM Const., Article I, Section 7

Closed Session .A. Following the interviews, the commission may go into closed session to discuss the applicants' qualifications and to evaluate them according to the evaluative criteria specified in Section 4 of these Rules. The discussion during closed session shall be confidential. The extent of confidentiality shall be determined by the commission, but, in any event, shall extend to prohibit express or implied attribution of comments or opinions to individual commissioners. B. As part of the discussion of the applicants, straw votes, non-binding and by secret ballot, shall be taken to determine support for particular applicants. C. Before each round of straw votes, the names of the applicants then under consideration shall be raised for discussion by the Commission. D. Commissioners shall cast only one vote per applicant but may vote for as many of the applicants as he/she wishes. E. When the commission, in closed session, after deliberations and at least two rounds of straw votes, believes that it is ready to vote in public session, the commission shall reconvene in open session for a final vote.