Voters in Nevada have the right to vote free from intimidation under federal and state law.footnote1_bKNrIhklnC1KIum1GGynFN9WxD38OsrgSgcqQ9EKTSM_fiZqdQMUSwn91See, 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). The federal protections that apply to all states are explained here. 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_hUgGZ38METnJ2Nev. 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_zx3SCm1PTYUt3Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(c).
- Impeding or preventing a person from exercising their right to vote by abduction, duress, or fraud.footnote4_7hA8A7lPOjjPIBu7GrNcFIQRBiAqxivxHFcmv1V6YI_tgONX5gRwgv94Nev. 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_s7APGhChGYe45 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_b0CW3YteQUk06Nev. 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_kpWcHUOF8NA87 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_rsMhP5N64ISp8Nev. 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_dLtrFGOPXO0R9Nev. 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_nIirVKmWUDa610Nev. 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_w6xsDObvRgTb1152 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_lTPaTS9ZDbkz1252 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_cLLyG69YxoSy13Nev. 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_buhUBYqYaEM714Nev. 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_zNXWPgk7Fsrb15Note 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_hClIAruxw3sM16Nev. 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_m6zc2ea6cVHj17Nev. 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_acNCNCDyTD8N18Nev. 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_b1VtJzX9TLl119Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(2), (7).
Clerks may remove observers from a polling place for violating any election law or regulation.footnote20_woQb9Q1zszn3Q39XJ-1AYUXs45USSpW1B6qOJ6IVQbw_wxgdWAnMLcab20Nev. 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_lH4EFWvQyETY21Nev. 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_l5OHxnHGoY4u22Nev. 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_dDZWYWWyiZ9j23Nev. 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_yHxXxTDyK95H24Nev. 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_cNS5VceF2sBD2518 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.
End Notes
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footnote1_bKNrIhklnC1KIum1GGynFN9WxD38OsrgSgcqQ9EKTSM_fiZqdQMUSwn9
1
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). -
footnote2_R4f7PmmRNdTuY7VrIM3VRsV4KI7jBY4xebJKtHMdOE_hUgGZ38METnJ
2
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(a). -
footnote3_ZoTwOXFI1ZfCgiVW4X6cYkcNlHhOih5jdUONMgQ7A_zx3SCm1PTYUt
3
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(c). -
footnote4_7hA8A7lPOjjPIBu7GrNcFIQRBiAqxivxHFcmv1V6YI_tgONX5gRwgv9
4
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710(1)(d). -
footnote5_AkvP9TEEK7YdM4jHmkJeQOa5dkh1beLssBD3hCEtX8_s7APGhChGYe4
5
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.730(1)(a). -
footnote6_enzf-1zhVpngQ6Vb6f1uY6vEycRLa7mixWQXXB8M-Ac_b0CW3YteQUk0
6
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.730(1)(f). -
footnote7_wQXLcIn8W8teqpk-tx92cMSSEZaAch-B27VDiFze3no_kpWcHUOF8NA8
7
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.361(1), 293.740(1); Nev. Admin. Code 293.015. -
footnote8_ZLup6uMMTUePJbiPM3TTtUcbr41i6cqwtxglVUmLo_rsMhP5N64ISp
8
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.303(1)(a), 293.547(2)(a). -
footnote9_AbobzYP0Fl0yewiCRiHuMgN4MMmtrt6c4S9SwpWJaWw_dLtrFGOPXO0R
9
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.303(1)(b), 293.547(2)(b), (3); Nev. Admin. Code 293.416. -
footnote10_pgQrTJk0zs5EfJKklK4vB4J2bnMMSaIVHFrPeyTQzQ_nIirVKmWUDa6
10
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.303(6)–(8). -
footnote11_PLl6vSUctQ9PTGM3shI44UyFWwX0znRa3QTtakW9uDg_w6xsDObvRgTb
11
52 U.S.C. § 20507(c)(1)(B). -
footnote12_gMU4pKaaGGtR0djXke9owYAHAATVZbmZt7GBXP2Bc7Y_lTPaTS9ZDbkz
12
52 U.S.C. § 20507(c)(2)(A). -
footnote13_iLrra7LSWumwAok8XkihmsQynIGn3JObcyBuD0mNE_cLLyG69YxoSy
13
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.705(1), (4). -
footnote14_jQcsIYAm4hjq0uPwmDQMLTfb4CEBKnicCK4Kku6r25s_buhUBYqYaEM7
14
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.705(2), (4). -
footnote15_s4tXeG5LeXQ3rj9NRpBgbZfQSoVSidmQCvnzQDfBAsY_zNXWPgk7Fsrb
15
Note that poll watchers in Nevada are referred to as “observers.” -
footnote16_9Pq7WPHYvxnLZrwDsCcJEk8ufAb1EQFdcd2EI9hIVGc_hClIAruxw3sM
16
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.274. -
footnote17_fjZpFfuZo2CGrIaxjsz786bXxfm9pKmBXNyTocxdy6A_m6zc2ea6cVHj
17
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.361(1), 293.740(1); Nev. Admin. Code 293.015. -
footnote18_3gxQArIjwnMXMbJ7n3CrYERXRxr3Jn7F2xgS05RoqU_acNCNCDyTD8N
18
Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(2). -
footnote19_gWP8mDKp1fZpXLWjo7nCxfuVpjNj9AkxwD2sIIhwrDw_b1VtJzX9TLl1
19
Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(2), (7). -
footnote20_woQb9Q1zszn3Q39XJ-1AYUXs45USSpW1B6qOJ6IVQbw_wxgdWAnMLcab
20
Nev. Admin. Code 293.24(3)(b). -
footnote21_NneYyv9VmyQtZLlFCT5frWHAv85y-rJfxpnNNclNjRY_lH4EFWvQyETY
21
Nev. Admin. Code 293.245(3)(a). -
footnote22_xQFgThg8trJv8gp0e25chnFW6fiksPhhBuRdi9sJo0E_l5OHxnHGoY4u
22
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 202.265(1)(e)–(f), 202.3673(3)(a). -
footnote23_5gGLTaiciT5nPl7m8bKvoDb6rTnp0Fp7CoVcvV3js9g_dDZWYWWyiZ9j
23
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.3673(3)(b). -
footnote24_xwFyh83VdVQY8A4KRE75jqeNuNRMhVyeGJopy8Np7ds_yHxXxTDyK95H
24
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.320. -
footnote25_XnT5yW7G2ifP2-OPfj9GfBKdYLGy8T3djnXOs5liiU_cNS5VceF2sBD
25
18 U.S.C. §§ 594, 241; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.710.