By KRWG News
New Mexico – A 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel on Wednesday upheld a federal judge's decision that New Mexico Secretary of State Mary Herrera's attempt to regulate two community action organizations was unconstitutional.
The three-judge panel affirmed a federal judge's decision in favor of the Albuquerque groups, New Mexico Youth Organized and the SouthWest Organizing Project.
The groups say the decision affirms the free speech rights of nonprofit organizations
Deputy Secretary of State Don Francisco Trujillo says the secretary of state's office will review the opinion with its lawyer.
U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera ruled in August 2009 the state's threat to prosecute the two groups for not registering as political committees violated their constitutional rights.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.