Nevada: Protections Against Intimidation of Voters and Election Workers

Voters in Nevada have the right to vote free from intimidation under federal and state law.footnote1_bKNrIhklnC1KIum1GGynFN9WxD38OsrgSgcqQ9EKTSM_u8ejdX3Qrq3E1 See, e.g., 18 U.S.C. §§ 594, 241; 52 U.S.C. § 10101(b); Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.710, 293.730, 293.361(1), 293.740(1). Federal law broadly prohibits intimidation, threats, or coercion throughout every stage of the election process;footnote1_QY2dUiYlF4pPLu3rzJo7Dn6zjiQ5N6UWuUWFNXebnLM_sSLDuAzb7CAt1 See U.S. Department of Justice, Voting Rights Fact Sheet (Sept. 2024), https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1366636/dl (summarizing federal laws that protect against intimidation). more information on the federal protections that apply to all states can be found here. In addition, the following actions are specifically prohibited by Nevada law:

• Using or threatening to use any force, intimidation, coercion, violence, restraint, or undue influence in connection with an election.footnote2_R4f7PmmRNdTuY7VrIM3VRsV4KI7jBY4xebJKtHMdOE_u1Lutcxag7R92 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(a).
• Exposing, publishing, or threatening to expose or publish information about another voter to pressure them to vote or not vote for a particular candidate or question.footnote3_ZoTwOXFI1ZfCgiVW4X6cYkcNlHhOih5jdUONMgQ7A_qdVFNwdqbPS63 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(c).
• Impeding or preventing a person from exercising their right to vote by abduction, duress, or fraud.footnote4_7hA8A7lPOjjPIBu7GrNcFIQRBiAqxivxHFcmv1V6YI_hl6N1If8dk234 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(d).
• Remaining inside or outside a polling place so as to interfere with the conduct of an election.footnote5_AkvP9TEEK7YdM4jHmkJeQOa5dkh1beLssBD3hCEtX8_lBS7gXQ0YlYe5 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.730(1)(a).
• Asking a person inside a polling place for their name, address, or political affiliation or for whom they intend to vote, unless asked by an election board officer in performing their official duties.footnote6_enzf-1zhVpngQ6Vb6f1uY6vEycRLa7mixWQXXB8M-Ac_tQxu4Xb3fQSM6 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.730(1)(f).
• Electioneering inside a polling place or within 100 feet of a polling place or a ballot drop box.footnote7_wQXLcIn8W8teqpk-tx92cMSSEZaAch-B27VDiFze3no_qAk1Ys7RqbGT7 Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.361(1), 293.740(1); Nev. Admin. Code 293.015.

The below addresses the laws and policies that serve as guardrails against specific threats of intimidation.

Voter Challenges

Although Nevada permits any registered voter to challenge the eligibility of another voter of the same precinct,footnote8_ZLup6uMMTUePJbiPM3TTtUcbr41i6cqwtxglVUmLo_jcECaWajj0gH8 Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.303(1)(a), 293.547(2)(a). state law also provides for some guardrails. For example, a challenger must submit an affirmation signed under penalty of perjury stating that the challenge is based on their firsthand, personal knowledge.footnote9_AbobzYP0Fl0yewiCRiHuMgN4MMmtrt6c4S9SwpWJaWw_eRNa9o4cfr2B9 Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.303(1)(b), 293.547(2)(b), (3); Nev. Admin. Code 293.416.  When challenged, a voter may receive a ballot and vote if they swear an oath stating they are entitled to vote and, in the case of challenges questioning the voter’s identity or residence, provide identification.footnote10_pgQrTJk0zs5EfJKklK4vB4J2bnMMSaIVHFrPeyTQzQ_a3d2Si9AsGg810 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.303(6)–(8).

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) provides additional safeguards to protect voters from mass challenges before an election:

• The NVRA expressly recognizes that National Change of Address information is not sufficient on its own to serve as the basis for canceling a voter’s registration.footnote11_PLl6vSUctQ9PTGM3shI44UyFWwX0znRa3QTtakW9uDg_kth50FK8ddUf11 52 U.S.C. § 20507(c)(1)(B).
• The NVRA prohibits the systematic removal of voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election.footnote12_gMU4pKaaGGtR0djXke9owYAHAATVZbmZt7GBXP2Bc7Y_oCRQrK9e4EFt12 52 U.S.C. § 20507(c)(2)(A).

The Brennan Center and All Voting Is Local published a detailed resource on the limits on voter eligibility challenges in Nevada here.

Intimidation of Poll Workers and Election Officials

In addition to federal protections against the intimidation of election workers, it is a felony in Nevada to use, threaten to use, or attempt to use any force, intimidation, coercion, violence, restraint, or undue influence with the intent to interfere with an election official’s performance of their duties or to retaliate against an election official for the performance of their duties.footnote13_iLrra7LSWumwAok8XkihmsQynIGn3JObcyBuD0mNE_sUgn9rSQ1Ko713 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.705(1), (4). It is also a felony to disseminate any personal or sensitive information about an election official without their consent with the intent to cause bodily harm or stalking or with reckless disregard to such likely harm.footnote14_jQcsIYAm4hjq0uPwmDQMLTfb4CEBKnicCK4Kku6r25s_i0KLveV42vl214 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.705(2), (4).

Voter Intimidation by Poll Workers

The Brennan Center and All Voting is Local published a detailed resource on the rules and constraints for Nevada poll workers here.

Intimidation by Poll Watchers

In addition to Nevada’s voter intimidation laws detailed above, state law places limits on who may serve as a poll watcher and what they may and may not do:footnote15_s4tXeG5LeXQ3rj9NRpBgbZfQSoVSidmQCvnzQDfBAsY_tooUGN4Pt0LJ15 Note that poll watchers in Nevada are referred to as “observers.”

• Any member of the general public, other than members of the press, may observe the conduct of voting at a polling place.footnote16_9Pq7WPHYvxnLZrwDsCcJEk8ufAb1EQFdcd2EI9hIVGc_fRFDWZaoLJjj16 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.274.
• Observers may not electioneer inside a polling place or within 100 feet of a polling place or ballot drop box.footnote17_fjZpFfuZo2CGrIaxjsz786bXxfm9pKmBXNyTocxdy6A_a0FqSlWqPWRW17 Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.361(1), 293.740(1); Nev. Admin. Code 293.015.
• Observers are prohibited from talking to voters inside the polling place; using a cell phone or computer inside the polling place; arguing for or against or challenging any poll worker decisions; interfering with the conduct of voting; or advocating for or against a candidate, political party, or ballot question.footnote18_3gxQArIjwnMXMbJ7n3CrYERXRxr3Jn7F2xgS05RoqU_yoU8lDoDlNoC18 Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(2).
• Before they can observe, observers must sign an acknowledgment that they will not engage in prohibited conduct and wear a name tag bearing their full name.footnote19_gWP8mDKp1fZpXLWjo7nCxfuVpjNj9AkxwD2sIIhwrDw_mlUFLFw6xsiu19 Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(2), (7).

Clerks may remove observers from a polling place for violating any election law or regulation.footnote20_woQb9Q1zszn3Q39XJ-1AYUXs45USSpW1B6qOJ6IVQbw_x8ZVcHTLWw3b20 Nev. Admin. Code 293.24(3)(b). Clerks may also limit the number of observers in a polling place for reasons of public safety or to protect voter privacy or maintain order.footnote21_NneYyv9VmyQtZLlFCT5frWHAv85y-rJfxpnNNclNjRY_l0sjgPJYO4zn21 Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(3)(a).

The Brennan Center and All Voting Is Local published a detailed resource on the rules and constraints on Nevada poll watchers here.

Guns at Polling Places

Firearm carry is generally illegal in several locations that are often used as polling locations, drop boxes, or places where votes are counted, including in public and private K-12 schools, childcare facilities, and the property of the Nevada System of Higher Education.footnote22_xQFgThg8trJv8gp0e25chnFW6fiksPhhBuRdi9sJo0E_tLy5sLdtypPY22 Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 202.265(1)(e)–(f), 202.3673(3)(a). Some types of firearm carry are also prohibited in state and local government buildings.footnote23_5gGLTaiciT5nPl7m8bKvoDb6rTnp0Fp7CoVcvV3js9g_y6lDvGHrrS4823 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3673(3)(b).

In any location in Nevada, it is a crime to draw or exhibit a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening manner when doing so is not necessary for self-defense.footnote24_xwFyh83VdVQY8A4KRE75jqeNuNRMhVyeGJopy8Np7ds_rV72bE1oUc7s24 Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.320.

Even at locations where firearms are not prohibited, firearm carry may constitute unlawful intimidation. Such conduct may consist of carrying a visible firearm while at a polling location, drop box, or vote-counting site; displaying a concealed firearm during a discussion or argument with a voter or election worker; or approaching a voter or election worker while displaying a firearm.

Door-to-Door Intimidation

Nevada and federal law prohibit canvassing efforts that are used to intimidate voters.footnote25_XnT5yW7G2ifP2-OPfj9GfBKdYLGy8T3djnXOs5liiU_zj42I2HjcKoD25 18 U.S.C. §§ 594, 241; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710. Any voter who receives a visit from a privately organized canvassing group does not have to answer any questions and should report any incidents of intimidation to their local officials.