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Nevada: Protections Against Intimidation of Voters and Election Workers

This resource details state laws and policies protecting against the intimidation of voters and election workers and the disruption of the voting process.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024
Published: October 28, 2022
View the entire Laws Protecting Voters and Election Workers from Intimidation series

Voters in Nevada have the right to vote free from intimidation under federal and state law.footnote1_bKNrIhklnC1KIum1GGynFN9WxD38OsrgSgcqQ9EKTSM_w5yuMJ009FZC1See, 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_mi3GTHT7FuW91See 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:

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_bdJPWKx9wIWW8Nev. 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_hyPv92jn3r6A9Nev. 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_sfNbXVMLrrqJ10Nev. 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 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_a2FRQ1AZoDNK13Nev. 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_mJuEO7owOidK14Nev. 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_qwZHuqdmeWHt15Note that poll watchers in Nevada are referred to as “observers.”

Clerks may remove observers from a polling place for violating any election law or regulation.footnote20_woQb9Q1zszn3Q39XJ-1AYUXs45USSpW1B6qOJ6IVQbw_t4YoDMyoLtgJ20Nev. 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_s6gmHsTgThi021Nev. 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_aLnDrgSZxVBQ22Nev. 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_a307GLaPpx8523Nev. 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_vNaFTc47l8k624Nev. 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_xhiMBjdGrWHa2518 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.

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