Nevada Question 5, Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative (2018)

Elections in Nevada, 2018

• General election: Nov. 6
• Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9 (mail), Oct. 16 (in-person), or Oct. 18 (online)
• Early voting: Oct. 20 - Nov. 2
• Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

• Online registration: Yes
• Same-day registration: No
• Voter ID: No
• Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • Secretary of State • State executive offices • State Senate • State Assembly • Supreme court • Local judges • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Democratic primaries • Republican primaries

Nevada Question 5
Election date November 6, 2018
Topic Voting policy measures
Status a Approved
Type State statute	Origin Citizens
List of Nevada measuresNevada Question 1Nevada Question 2Nevada Question 3Nevada Question 4Nevada Question 5Nevada Question 6Submit

Nevada Question 5, the Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative, was on the ballot in Nevada as an indirect initiated state statute on November 6, 2018. The measure was approved.

A "yes" vote supported this initiative to provide for the automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

A "no" vote opposed this initiative to provide for the automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the DMV.

As an indirect initiative, supporters collected signatures to first put the measure before the state legislature. The initiative was approved in both legislative chambers along partisan lines, with Democrats favoring and Republicans opposing the measure. Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) vetoed the initiative, sending the issue to a public vote.

Election results

Nevada Question 5
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		567,740	59.57%
No		385,297	40.43%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

Automatic voter registration

As of 2018, registering to vote was something that eligible individuals needed to choose to do in Nevada. This is often referred to as an opt-in system of voter registration, as eligible individuals need to opt-in to the voter rolls. Enacting an automatic voter registration (AVR) system changed voter registration from an opt-in system to an opt-out system. An opt-out system of voter registration is one in which the government places an individual on the voter rolls unless an individual declines registration. In states with AVR, the system is utilized when individuals interact with specific government agencies, such as the DMV. As of April 2018, 12 states and D.C. had enacted bills or rules to establish AVR systems. Alaska voters approved an AVR citizen initiative in 2016.

Initiative design

Question 5 established an automatic voter registration system in Nevada. Under Question 5, an individual who submits an application for the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license or identification card or an address change at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has his or her information automatically forwarded to the secretary of state and county clerk within five working days for voter registration. Citizens were given the option to opt out of automatic voter registration.

State of the ballot measure campaigns

The Nevadans For Secure Elections PAC led the campaign in support of Question 5. The campaign was a project of iVote, a national political action committee that focuses on voting issues and advocates for automatic voter registration. Nevadans For Secure Elections and an allied PAC had raised $10.22 million, with the Sixteen Thirty Fund providing the largest contribution of $6.25 million. There were no PACs registered to opposed Question 5.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The question on the ballot was as follows:

“

Shall Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes be amended to establish a system that will automatically register an eligible person to vote, or update that person’s existing Nevada voter registration information, at the time the person applies to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver’s license or identification card, or makes a request to change the address on such a license or identification card, unless the person affirmatively declines in writing?

”

Ballot summary

The ballot explanation was as follows:

“ EXPLANATION—This ballot measure proposes to amend Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes to require the Secretary of State, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and each county clerk to cooperatively establish a system that automatically registers to vote an eligible person when the person submits an application for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV. If the person is already registered to vote, the system would automatically update his or her existing Nevada voter registration information. The person would be allowed to affirmatively decline in writing to register to vote if he or she did not want to register to vote. The system established by the Secretary of State, the DMV, and each county clerk pursuant to this measure must allow voter registration information collected by the DMV to be transmitted electronically to the Secretary of State and the county clerks for the purpose of registering the person to vote or updating the voter registration information of the person for the purpose of correcting the statewide voter registration list. Pursuant to the measure, this electronic transmission of voter registration information must be secure. The storage of any voter registration information collected pursuant to the measure must also be secure. Prior to concluding the person’s transaction, the ballot measure requires the DMV to notify each person who submits an application for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV of the following information: The qualifications to vote in Nevada; That the person will be automatically registered to vote unless he or she affirmatively declines in writing; That indicating a political party affiliation or no political party affiliation is voluntary; That the person may indicate a political party affiliation on the voter registration form; That the person will not be able to vote at a primary election for candidates for partisan offices of a major political party unless the person indicates a major political party affiliation; That the decision of whether to register to vote or not will not affect the person’s transactions with the DMV or the DMV’s services; That the person’s decision regarding whether to register to vote or not cannot legally be disclosed to the public; and That any information collected by the DMV for automatic voter registration cannot be used for any purpose other than voter registration. According to the measure, if the person does not affirmatively decline in writing to register to vote, certain personal information will be transmitted to the appropriate county election official who will determine if the application to register to vote is complete. The county election official must notify the person if the application is incomplete and additional information is required. A “Yes” vote would amend Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes to establish a system that will automatically register to vote, or update the existing Nevada registration information of, any eligible person who applies to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance or renewal of any type of Nevada driver’s license or identification card, or who makes a request to change the address on such a license or identification card, unless the person affirmatively declines in writing. A “No” vote would not amend Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes to establish an automatic voter registration system for any eligible person who applies to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance or renewal of any type of Nevada driver’s license or identification card, or who makes a request to change the address on such a license or identification card. DIGEST—Under current law, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is designated as a voter registration agency. As such, the DMV must perform certain activities related to voter registration, including posting instructions regarding the voter registration process and providing an application to register to vote to each person who applies for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV. Current law also requires the DMV to forward each application to register to vote to the county election official in the county where the applicant resides. If approved by the voters, this measure will have a financial impact on the Secretary of State, DMV, and county election officials; however, the extent of the financial impact will depend on the nature of the system that is cooperatively established pursuant to the requirements of this measure. If approved, this ballot measure will not remove or eliminate any of the requirements of the DMV as it relates to being a voter registration agency and providing an application to register to vote to each person who applies for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV. Instead, the ballot measure seeks to change voter registration at the DMV from an “opt in” process to an “opt out” process, meaning the person applying for the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV would need to affirmatively decline in writing in order to opt out of being registered to vote. Under current law, individuals applying for the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV must opt in in order to register to vote by taking certain actions. Because of this proposed switch to an “opt out” process, the change sought by this measure is often described as automatic voter registration. ”

Full text

The full text of the initiative was as follows. The following underlined text was added to state statute and struck-through text was deleted from state statute:

Section 2 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. The Secretary of State, the Department of Motor Vehicles and each county clerk shall cooperatively establish a system by which voter registration information that is collected pursuant to section 4 of this act by the Department from a person who submits an application for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department must be transmitted electronically to the Secretary of State and the county clerks for the purpose of registering the person to vote or updating the voter registration information of the person for the purpose of correcting the statewide voter registration list pursuant to NRS 293.530. 2. The system established pursuant to subsection 1 must: (a) Ensure the secure electronic storage of information collected pursuant to section 4 of this act, the secure transmission of such information to the Secretary of State and county clerks and the secure electronic storage of such information by the Secretary of State and county clerks; (b) Provide for the destruction of records by the Department as required by subsection 2 of section 5 of this act; and (c) Enable the county clerks to receive, view and collate the information into individual electronic documents pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of section 6 of this act. Section 3 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall follow the procedures described in this section and sections 4 and 5 of this act if a person applies to the Department for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department. 2. Before concluding the person’s transaction with the Department, the Department shall notify each person described in subsection 1: (a) Of the qualifications to vote in this State, as provided by NRS 293.485; (b) That, unless the person affirmatively declines in writing to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable: (1) The person is deemed to have consented to the transmission of information to the Secretary of State and the county clerks for the purpose of registering the person to vote or updating the voter registration information of the person for the purpose of correcting the statewide voter registration list pursuant to NRS 293.530; and (2) The Department will transmit to the county clerk of the county in which the person resides all information required to register the person to vote pursuant to this chapter or to update the voter registration information of the person for the purpose of correcting the statewide voter registration list pursuant to NRS 293.530; (c) That: (1) Indicating a political party affiliation or indicating that the person is not affiliated with a political party is voluntary; (2) The person may indicate a political party affiliation on a paper or electronic form provided by the Department; and (3) The person will not be able to vote at a primary election or primary city election for candidates for partisan offices of a major political party unless the person updates his or her voter registration information to indicate a major political party affiliation; and (d) Of the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of section 7 of this act. 3. The failure or refusal of the person to acknowledge that he or she has received the notice required by subsection 2: (a) Is not a declination by the person to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated; and (b) Shall not be deemed to affect any duty of the Department, the Secretary of State or any county clerk: (1) Relating to the application of the person to register to vote; or (2) To update the voter registration information of the person. 4. The Department: (a) Shall prescribe by regulation the form of the notice required by subsection 2 and the procedure for providing it; and (b) Shall not require the person to acknowledge that he or she has received the notice required by subsection 2. Section 4 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. Unless the person affirmatively declines in writing to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, if a person applies to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for a driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department, the Department shall collect from the person: (a) A paper or electronic affirmation signed under penalty of perjury that the person is eligible to vote; (b) An electronic facsimile of the signature of the person, if the Department is capable of recording, storing and transmitting to the county clerk an electronic facsimile of the signature of the person; (c) Any personal information which the person has not already provided to the Department and which is required for the person to register to vote or to update the voter registration information of the person, including: (1) The first or given name and the surname of the person; (2) The address at which the voter actually resides as set forth in NRS 293.486 and, if different, the address at which the person may receive mail, including, without limitation, a post office box or general delivery; (3) The date of birth of the person; (4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, one of the following: (I) The number indicated on the person’s current and valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department, if the person has such a driver’s license or identification card; or :::(II) The last four digits of the person’s social security number, if the person does not have a driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department and has a social security number; and (5) The political party affiliation, if any, indicated by the person; and (d) The paper or electronic form, if any, completed by the person and indicating his or her political party affiliation. 2. If the person does not have the identification described in subparagraph (4) of paragraph (c) of subsection 1, the person must sign an affidavit stating that he or she does not have a current and valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department or a social security number. Upon receipt of the affidavit, the county clerk shall issue an identification number to the person which must be the same number as the unique identifier assigned to the person for the purpose of the statewide voter registration list. Section 5 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall electronically transmit to the Secretary of State and the appropriate county clerk the information and any electronic documents collected from a person pursuant to section 4 of this act: (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), not later than 5 working days after collecting the information; and (b) During the 2 weeks immediately preceding the fifth Sunday preceding an election, not later than 1 working day after collecting the information. 2. The Department shall destroy any record containing information collected pursuant to section 4 of this act that is not otherwise collected by the Department in the normal course of business immediately after transmitting the information to the Secretary of State and county clerk pursuant to subsection 1. 3. The Department shall forward the following paper documents on a weekly basis to the appropriate county clerk, or daily during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the fifth Sunday preceding an election: (a) Each signed affirmation collected pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act; (b) Any completed form indicating a political party affiliation collected pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act; and (c) Any affidavit signed pursuant to subsection 2 of section 4 of this act. Section 6 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. Unless the person affirmatively declines in writing to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, if a person applies to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance or renewal of or change of address for any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department: (a) The person shall be deemed an applicant to register to vote. (b) Any action taken by the person pursuant to section 4 of this act shall be deemed an act of applying to register to vote. (c) Upon receipt of the information collected from the person and transmitted to a county clerk by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the county clerk shall collate the information into an individual electronic document, which shall be deemed an application to register to vote. (d) Unless the applicant is already registered to vote, the date on which the person applies to register to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act shall be deemed the date on which the applicant registered to vote. 2. If the county clerk determines that the application is complete and that the applicant is eligible to vote pursuant to NRS 293.485, the name of the applicant must appear on the statewide voter registration list and the appropriate roster, and the person must be provided all sample ballots and any other voter information provided to registered voters. If the county clerk determines that the application is not complete, he or she shall notify the applicant that additional information is required in accordance with the provisions of NRS 293.524. 3. For each applicant who applies to register to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act: (a) The electronic facsimile of the signature of the applicant shall be deemed to be the facsimile of the signature on the person’s application to register to vote to be used for the comparison purposes of NRS 293.277 if: (1) An electronic facsimile of the signature has been collected and transmitted to the county clerk of the county in which the applicant resides pursuant to sections 4 and 5 of this act, respectively; and (2) The county clerk is capable of receiving, storing and using the facsimile of the signature for that purpose; or (b) If the conditions described in paragraph (a) are not met, the signature of the applicant on the affirmation signed pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of section 4 of this act shall be deemed to be the signature on the person’s application to register to vote for the purpose of making a facsimile thereof to be used for the comparison purposes of NRS 293.277. 4. If an applicant is already registered to vote, the county clerk shall use the voter registration information of the applicant transmitted by the Department of Motor Vehicles to correct the statewide voter registration list pursuant to NRS 293.530, if necessary. Section 7 of Chapter 293 of Nevada Revised Statutes 1. A person who affirmatively declines in writing to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, pursuant to section 4 of this act may apply to register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to NRS 293.524. 2. Whether a person applies to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, pursuant to section 4 of this act must not affect the provision of services or assistance to the person by the Department, and the fact of a person applying to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, pursuant to section 4 of this act or declining to do so must not be disclosed to the public. 3. Any information collected pursuant to sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act must not be used for any purpose other than voter registration. 4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Secretary of State shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act. The Secretary of State shall not require a person to provide any documentation in order to apply to register to vote or have his or her voter registration information updated, as applicable, pursuant to section 4 of this act that is not required by section 4 of this act or federal law, including, without limitation, documentation to prove the person’s identity, citizenship or residence. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.12757 A person may sign a petition required under the election laws of this State on or after the date the person is deemed to be registered to vote pursuant to NRS 293.517, or subsection 7 of NRS 293.5235. or section 6 of this act. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.1277 1. If the Secretary of State finds that the total number of signatures submitted to all the county clerks is 100 percent or more of the number of registered voters needed to declare the petition sufficient, the Secretary of State shall immediately so notify the county clerks. After the notification, each of the county clerks shall determine the number of registered voters who have signed the documents submitted in the county clerk’s county and, in the case of a petition for initiative or referendum proposing a constitutional amendment or statewide measure, shall tally the number of signatures for each petition district contained or fully contained within the county clerk’s county. This determination must be completed within 9 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the notification pursuant to this subsection regarding a petition containing signatures which are required to be verified pursuant to NRS 293.128, 295.056, 298.109, 306.035 or 306.110, and within 3 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after the notification pursuant to this subsection regarding a petition containing signatures which are required to be verified pursuant to NRS 293.172 or 293.200. For the purpose of verification pursuant to this section, the county clerk shall not include in his or her tally of total signatures any signature included in the incorrect petition district. 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if more than 500 names have been signed on the documents submitted to a county clerk, the county clerk shall examine the signatures by sampling them at random for verification. The random sample of signatures to be verified must be drawn in such a manner that every signature which has been submitted to the county clerk is given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. The sample must include an examination of at least 500 or 5 percent of the signatures, whichever is greater. If documents were submitted to the county clerk for more than one petition district wholly contained within that county, a separate random sample must be performed for each petition district. 3. If a petition district comprises more than one county and the petition is for an initiative or referendum proposing a constitutional amendment or a statewide measure, and if more than 500 names have been signed on the documents submitted for that petition district, the appropriate county clerks shall examine the signatures by sampling them at random for verification. The random sample of signatures to be verified must be drawn in such a manner that every signature which has been submitted to the county clerks within the petition district is given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. The sample must include an examination of at least 500 or 5 percent of the signatures presented in the petition district, whichever is greater. The Secretary of State shall determine the number of signatures that must be verified by each county clerk within the petition district. 4. In determining from the records of registration the number of registered voters who signed the documents, the county clerk may use the signatures contained in the file of applications to register to vote. If the county clerk uses that file, the county clerk shall ensure that every application in the file is examined, including any application in his or her possession which may not yet be entered into the county clerk’s records. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the county clerk shall rely only on the appearance of the signature and the address and date included with each signature in making his or her determination. 5. If: (a) Pursuant to NRS 293.506, a county clerk establishes a system to allow persons to register to vote by computer; or (b) A person registers to vote pursuant to NRS 293D.230 and signs his or her application to register to vote using a digital signature or an electronic signature, ; or (c) A person registers to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act, the county clerk may rely on such other indicia as prescribed by the Secretary of State in making his or her determination. 6. In the case of a petition for initiative or referendum proposing a constitutional amendment or statewide measure, when the county clerk is determining the number of registered voters who signed the documents from each petition district contained fully or partially within the county clerk’s county, he or she must use the statewide voter registration list available pursuant to NRS 293.675. 7. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, upon completing the examination, the county clerk shall immediately attach to the documents a certificate properly dated, showing the result of the examination, including the tally of signatures by petition district, if required, and transmit the documents with the certificate to the Secretary of State. In the case of a petition for initiative or referendum proposing a constitutional amendment or statewide measure, if a petition district comprises more than one county, the appropriate county clerks shall comply with the regulations adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this section to complete the certificate. A copy of this certificate must be filed in the clerk’s office. When the county clerk transmits the certificate to the Secretary of State, the county clerk shall notify the Secretary of State of the number of requests to remove a name received by the county clerk pursuant to NRS 295.055 or 306.015. 8. A person who submits a petition to the county clerk which is required to be verified pursuant to NRS 293.128, 293.172, 293.200, 295.056, 298.109, 306.035 or 306.110 must be allowed to witness the verification of the signatures. A public officer who is the subject of a recall petition must also be allowed to witness the verification of the signatures on the petition. 9. For any petition containing signatures which are required to be verified pursuant to the provisions of NRS 293.200, 306.035 or 306.110 for any county, district or municipal office within one county, the county clerk shall not transmit to the Secretary of State the documents containing the signatures of the registered voters. 10. The Secretary of State shall by regulation establish further procedures for carrying out the provisions of this section. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.2725 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, in NRS 293.3081 and 293.3083 and in federal law, a person who registers by mail or computer to vote in this State or who registers to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act and who has not previously voted in an election for federal office in this State: (a) May vote at a polling place only if the person presents to the election board officer at the polling place: (1) A current and valid photo identification of the person, which shows his or her physical address; or (2) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates the name and address of the person, but not including a voter registration card issued pursuant to NRS 293.517; and (b) May vote by mail only if the person provides to the county or city clerk: (1) A copy of a current and valid photo identification of the person, which shows his or her physical address; or (2) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates the name and address of the person, but not including a voter registration card issued pursuant to NRS 293.517. If there is a question as to the physical address of the person, the election board officer or clerk may request additional information. 2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a person who: (a) Registers to vote by mail and submits with an application to register to vote: (1) A copy of a current and valid photo identification; or (2) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates the name and address of the person, but not including a voter registration card issued pursuant to NRS 293.517; (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, registers to vote by mail or computer and submits with an application to register to vote a driver’s license number or at least the last four digits of his or her social security number, if a state or local election official has matched that information with an existing identification record bearing the same number, name and date of birth as provided by the person in the application; (c) Registers to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act and at that time presents to the Department of Motor Vehicles: (1) A copy of a current and valid photo identification; (2) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates the name and address of the person, but not including a voter registration card issued pursuant to NRS 293.517; or (3) A driver’s license number or at least the last four digits of his or her social security number, if state or local election official has matched that information with an existing identification record bearing the same number, name and date of birth as provided by the person in the application; (d) Is entitled to vote an absent ballot pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301 et seq.; (d) (e) Is provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20101 et seq.; or (e) (f) Is entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any other federal law. 3. The provisions of subsection 1 apply to a person described in paragraph (b) of subsection 2 if the voter registration card issued to the person pursuant to subsection 6 of NRS 293.517 is mailed by the county clerk to the person and returned to the county clerk by the United States Postal Service. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.504 1. The following offices shall serve as voter registration agencies: (a) Such offices that provide public assistance as are designated by the Secretary of State; (b) Each office that receives money from the State of Nevada to provide services to persons with disabilities in this State; (c) The offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles; (d) The offices of the city and county clerks; (e) Such other county and municipal facilities as a county clerk or city clerk may designate pursuant to NRS 293.5035 or 293C.520, as applicable; (f) Recruitment offices of the United States Armed Forces; and (g) Such other offices as the Secretary of State deems appropriate. 2. Each voter registration agency shall: (a) Post in a conspicuous place, in at least 12-point type, instructions for registering to vote; (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, and sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act, distribute applications to register to vote which may be returned by mail with any application for services or assistance from the agency or submitted for any other purpose and with each application for recertification, renewal or change of address submitted to the agency that relates to such services, assistance or other purpose; (c) Provide the same amount of assistance to an applicant in completing an application to register to vote as the agency provides to a person completing any other forms for the agency; and (d) Accept completed applications to register to vote. 3. A voter registration agency is not required to provide an application to register to vote pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 to a person who applies for or receives services or assistance from the agency or submits an application for any other purpose if the person declines to register to vote and submits to the agency a written form that meets the requirements of 42 52 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(6). No information 20506(a)(6). Information related to the declination to register to vote may be used for any purpose other than voter registration. 4. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, and NRS 293.524, and section 5 of this act, any application to register to vote accepted by a voter registration agency must be transmitted to the county clerk not later than 10 days after the application is accepted. The applications must be forwarded daily during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the fifth Sunday preceding an election. The county clerk shall accept any application to register to vote which is obtained from a voter registration agency pursuant to this section and completed by the fifth Sunday preceding an election if the county clerk receives the application not later than 5 days after that date. 5. The Secretary of State shall cooperate with the Secretary of Defense to develop and carry out procedures to enable persons in this State to apply to register to vote at recruitment offices of the United States Armed Forces. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.510 1. In Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, in counties where computers are not used to register voters, the county clerk shall: (a) Segregate original applications to register to vote according to the precinct in which the registered voters reside and arrange the applications in each precinct or district in alphabetical order. The applications for each precinct or district must be kept separately for each precinct or district. These applications must be used to prepare the rosters. (b) Arrange the duplicate applications of registration in alphabetical order for the entire county and keep them in binders or a suitable file which constitutes the registrar of voters’ register. 2. In Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, in any county where a computer is used to register voters, the county clerk shall: (a) Arrange the original applications to register to vote for the entire county in a manner in which an original application may be quickly located. These original applications constitute the registrar of voters’ register. (b) Segregate the applications to register to vote in a computer file according to the precinct or district in which the registered voters reside, and for each precinct or district have printed a computer listing which contains the applications to register to vote in alphabetical order. These listings of applications to register to vote must be used to prepare the rosters. 3. From the applications to register to vote received by each county clerk, the county clerk shall: (a) Segregate the applications electronically transmitted by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to subsection 1 of section 5 of this act in a computer file according to the precinct or district in which the registered voters reside; and (b) Arrange the applications in each precinct or district in alphabetical order. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.517 1. Any elector residing within the county may register to vote: (a) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 293.560 and 293C.527, by appearing before the county clerk, a field registrar or a voter registration agency, completing the application to register to vote, giving true and satisfactory answers to all questions relevant to his or her identity and right to vote, and providing proof of residence and identity; (b) By completing and mailing or personally delivering to the county clerk an application to register to vote pursuant to the provisions of NRS 293.5235; (c) Pursuant to the provisions of NRS 293.524 or chapter 293D of NRS; or section 4 of this act; (d) At his or her residence with the assistance of a field registrar pursuant to NRS 293.5237; or (e) By submitting an application to register to vote by computer, if the county clerk has established a system pursuant to NRS 293.506 for using a computer to register voters. The county clerk shall require a person to submit official identification as proof of residence and identity, such as a driver’s license or other official document, before registering the person. If the applicant registers to vote pursuant to this subsection and fails to provide proof of residence and identity, the applicant must provide proof of residence and identity before casting a ballot in person or by mail or after casting a provisional ballot pursuant to NRS 293.3081 or 293.3083. For the purposes of this subsection, a voter registration card issued pursuant to subsection 6 does not provide proof of the residence or identity of a person. 2. The Except as otherwise provided in sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act, the application to register to vote must be signed and verified under penalty of perjury by the elector registering. 3. Each elector who is or has been married must be registered under his or her own given or first name, and not under the given or first name or initials of his or her spouse. 4. An elector who is registered and changes his or her name must complete a new application to register to vote. The elector may obtain a new application: (a) At the office of the county clerk or field registrar; (b) By submitting an application to register to vote pursuant to the provisions of NRS 293.5235; (c) By submitting a written statement to the county clerk requesting the county clerk to mail an application to register to vote; (d) At any voter registration agency; or (e) By submitting an application to register to vote by computer, if the county clerk has established a system pursuant to NRS 293.506 for using a computer to register voters. If the elector fails to register under his or her new name, the elector may be challenged pursuant to the provisions of NRS 293.303 or 293C.292 and may be required to furnish proof of identity and subsequent change of name. 5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7 ; and sections 4 to 7, inclusive, of this act, an elector who registers to vote pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 shall be deemed to be registered upon the completion of an application to register to vote. 6. After the county clerk determines that the application to register to vote of a person is complete and that, except as otherwise provided in NRS 293D.210, the person is eligible to vote pursuant to NRS 293.485, the county clerk shall issue a voter registration card to the voter which contains: (a) The name, address, political affiliation and precinct number of the voter; (b) The date of issuance; and (c) The signature of the county clerk. 7. If an elector submits an application to register to vote or an affidavit described in paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of NRS 293.507 that contains any handwritten additions, erasures or interlineations, the county clerk may object to the application to register to vote if the county clerk believes that because of such handwritten additions, erasures or interlineations, the application to register to vote of the elector is incomplete or that, except as otherwise provided in NRS 293D.210, the elector is not eligible to vote pursuant to NRS 293.485. If the county clerk objects pursuant to this subsection, he or she shall immediately notify the elector and the district attorney of the county. Not later than 5 business days after the district attorney receives such notification, the district attorney shall advise the county clerk as to whether: (a) The application to register to vote of the elector is complete and, except as otherwise provided in NRS 293D.210, the elector is eligible to vote pursuant to NRS 293.485; and (b) The county clerk should proceed to process the application to register to vote. If the District Attorney advises the county clerk to process the application to register to vote, the county clerk shall immediately issue a voter registration card to the applicant pursuant to subsection 6. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.518 1. At Except as otherwise provided in sections 3 and 4 of this act, at the time an elector registers to vote the elector must indicate: (a) A political party affiliation; or (b) That he or she is not affiliated with a political party. An elector who indicates that he or she is “independent” shall be deemed not affiliated with a political party. 2. If an elector indicates that he or she is not affiliated with a political party, or is independent, the county clerk or field registrar of voters shall list the elector’s political party as nonpartisan. 3. If an elector indicates an affiliation with a major political party or a minor political party that has filed a certificate of existence with the Secretary of State, the county clerk or field registrar of voters shall list the elector’s political party as indicated by the elector. 4. If an elector indicates an affiliation with a minor political party that has not filed a certificate of existence with the Secretary of State, the county clerk or field registrar of voters shall: (a) List the elector’s political party as the party indicated in the application to register to vote. (b) When compiling data related to voter registration for the county, report the elector’s political party as “other party.” 5. If an elector does not make any of the indications described in subsection 1, the county clerk or field registrar of voters shall: (a) List the elector’s political party as nonpartisan; and (b) Mail to the elector a notice setting forth that the elector has been registered to vote as a nonpartisan because the elector did not make any of the indications described in subsection 1. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.518 1. The Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide an a paper application to register to vote to each person who applies: (a) Applies for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department.; and (b) Does not apply to register to vote pursuant to section 4 of this act. 2. The county clerk shall use the paper applications to register to vote which are signed and completed pursuant to subsection 1 to register applicants to vote or to correct information in the registrar of voters’ register. An A paper application that is not signed must not be used to register or correct the registration of the applicant. 3. For the purposes of this section, each employee specifically authorized to do so by the Director of the Department may oversee the completion of An a paper application. The authorized employee shall check the paper application for completeness and verify the information required by the paper application. Each paper application must include a duplicate copy or receipt to be retained by the applicant upon completion of the form. The Department shall, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, forward each paper application on a weekly basis to the county clerk or, if applicable, to the registrar of voters of the county in which the applicant resides. The paper applications must be forwarded daily during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the fifth Sunday preceding an election. 4. The Department is not required to provide a paper application to register to vote pursuant to subsection 1 to a person who declines to apply to register to vote pursuant to this section and submits to the Department a written form that meets the requirements of 52 U.S.C. § 20506(a)(6). Information related to the declination to apply to register to vote must not be used for any purpose other than voter registration. 5. The county clerk shall accept any paper application to register to vote which is obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this section and completed by the fifth Sunday preceding an election if the county clerk receives the paper application not later than 5 days after that date. Upon receipt of an an paper application, the county clerk or field registrar of voters shall determine whether the paper application is complete. If the county clerk or field registrar of voters determines that the paper application is complete, he or she shall notify the applicant and the applicant shall be deemed to be registered as of the date of the submission of the paper application. If the county clerk or field registrar of voters determines that the paper application is not complete, he or she shall notify the applicant of the additional information required. The applicant shall be deemed to be registered as of the date of the initial submission of the paper application if the additional information is provided within 15 days after the notice for the additional information is mailed. If the applicant has not provided the additional information within 15 days after the notice for the additional information is mailed, the incomplete paper application is void. Any notification required by this subsection must be given by mail at the mailing address on the paper application not more than 7 working days after the determination is made concerning whether the paper application is complete. 5. 6.The county clerk shall use any form submitted to the Department to correct information on a driver’s license or identification card to correct information in the registrar of voters’ register, unless the person indicates on the form that the correction is not to be used for the purposes of voter registration. The Department shall forward each such form to the county clerk or, if applicable, to the registrar of voters of the county in which the person resides in the same manner provided by subsection 3 for paper applications to register to vote. 6. 7. Upon receipt of a form to correct information, the county clerk shall compare the information to that contained in the registrar of voters’ register. If the person is a registered voter, the county clerk shall correct the information to reflect any changes indicated on the form. After making any changes, the county clerk shall notify the person by mail that the records have been corrected. 7. 8. The Secretary of State shall, with the approval of the Director, adopt regulations to: (a) Establish any procedure necessary to provide an elector who applies to register to vote pursuant to this section the opportunity to do so; (b) Prescribe the contents of any forms or paper applications which the Department is required to distribute pursuant to this section; and (c) Provide for the transfer of the completed paper applications of registration from the Department to the appropriate county clerk for inclusion in the rosters and registrar of voters’ register. Nevada Revised Statutes 293.530 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 293.541: 1. County clerks may use any reliable and reasonable means available to correct the portions of the statewide voter registration list which are relevant to the county clerks and to determine whether a registered voter’s current residence is other than that indicated on the voter’s application to register to vote. 2. A county clerk may, with the consent of the board of county commissioners, make investigations of registration in the county by census, by house-to-house canvass or by any other method. 3. A county clerk shall cancel the registration of a voter pursuant to this section if: (a) The county clerk mails a written notice to the voter which the United States Postal Service is required to forward; (b) The county clerk mails a return postcard with the notice which has a place for the voter to write his or her new address, is addressed to the county clerk and has postage guaranteed; (c) The voter does not respond; and (d) The voter does not appear to vote in an election before the polls have closed in the second general election following the date of the notice. 4. For the purposes of this section, the date of the notice is deemed to be 3 days after it is mailed. 5. The county clerk shall maintain records of: (a) Any notice mailed pursuant to subsection 3; (b) Any response to such notice; and (c) Whether a person to whom a notice is mailed appears to vote in an election, for not less than 2 years after creation. 6. The county clerk shall use any postcards which are returned to correct the portions of the statewide voter registration list which are relevant to the county clerk. 7. If a voter fails to return the postcard mailed pursuant to subsection 3 within 30 days, the county clerk shall designate the voter as inactive on the voter’s application to register to vote. 8. The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations to prescribe the method for maintaining a list of voters who have been designated as inactive pursuant to subsection 7. 9. If: (a) The name of a voter is added to the statewide voter registration list pursuant to section 6 of this act; or (b) The voter registration information of a voter whose name is on the statewide voter registration list is updated pursuant to section 6 of this act, the county clerk shall provide written notice of the addition or change to the voter not later than 5 working days after the addition or change is made. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the notice must be mailed to the current residence of the voter. The county clerk may send the notice by electronic mail if the voter confirms the validity of the electronic mail address to which the notice will be sent by responding to a confirmation inquiry sent to that electronic mail address. Such a confirmation inquiry must be sent for each notice sent pursuant to this subsection. Nevada Revised Statutes 239.010 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 1.4683, 1.4687, 1A.110, 41.071, 49.095, 62D.420, 62D.440, 62E.516, 62E.620, 62H.025, 62H.030, 62H.170, 62H.220, 62H.320, 75A.100, 75A.150, 76.160, 78.152, 80.113, 81.850, 82.183, 86.246, 86.54615, 87.515, 87.5413, 87A.200, 87A.580, 87A.640, 88.3355, 88.5927, 88.6067, 88A.345, 88A.7345, 89.045, 89.251, 90.730, 91.160, 116.757, 116A.270, 116B.880, 118B.026, 119.260, 119.265, 119.267, 119.280, 119A.280, 119A.653, 119B.370, 119B.382, 120A.690, 125.130, 125B.140, 126.141, 126.161, 126.163, 126.730, 127.007, 127.057, 127.130, 127.140, 127.2817, 130.312, 130.712, 136.050, 159.044, 172.075, 172.245, 176.015, 176.0625, 176.09129, 176.156, 176A.630, 178.39801, 178.4715, 178.5691, 179.495, 179A.070, 179A.165, 179A.450, 179D.160, 200.3771, 200.3772, 200.5095, 200.604, 202.3662, 205.4651, 209.392, 209.3925, 209.419, 209.521, 211A.140, 213.010, 213.040, 213.095, 213.131, 217.105, 217.110, 217.464, 217.475, 218A.350, 218E.625, 218F.150, 218G.130, 218G.240, 218G.350, 228.270, 228.450, 228.495, 228.570, 231.069, 231.1473, 233.190, 237.300, 239.0105, 239.0113, 239B.030, 239B.040, 239B.050, 239C.140, 239C.210, 239C.230, 239C.250, 239C.270, 240.007, 241.020, 241.030, 241.039, 242.105, 244.264, 244.335, 250.087, 250.130, 250.140, 250.150, 268.095, 268.490, 268.910, 271A.105, 281.195, 281A.350, 281A.440, 281A.550, 284.4068, 286.110, 287.0438, 289.025, 289.080, 289.387, 289.830, 293.5002, 293.503, 293.558, 293B.135, 293D.510, 331.110, 332.061, 332.351, 333.333, 333.335, 338.070, 338.1379, 338.16925, 338.1725, 338.1727, 348.420, 349.597, 349.775, 353.205, 353A.049, 353A.085, 353A.100, 353C.240, 360.240, 360.247, 360.255, 360.755, 361.044, 361.610, 365.138, 366.160, 368A.180, 372A.080, 378.290, 378.300, 379.008, 385A.830, 385B.100, 387.626, 387.631, 388.1455, 388.259, 388.501, 388.503, 388.513, 388.750, 391.035, 392.029, 392.147, 392.264, 392.271, 392.850, 394.167, 394.1698, 394.447, 394.460, 394.465, 396.3295, 396.405, 396.525, 396.535, 398.403, 408.3885, 408.3886, 408.3888, 408.5484, 412.153, 416.070, 422.2749, 422.305, 422A.342, 422A.350, 425.400, 427A.1236, 427A.872, 432.205, 432B.175, 432B.280, 432B.290, 432B.407, 432B.430, 432B.560, 433.534, 433A.360, 439.840, 439B.420, 440.170, 441A.195, 441A.220, 441A.230, 442.330, 442.395, 445A.665, 445B.570, 449.209, 449.245, 449.720, 450.140, 453.164, 453.720, 453A.610, 453A.700, 458.055, 458.280, 459.050, 459.3866, 459.555, 459.7056, 459.846, 463.120, 463.15993, 463.240, 463.3403, 463.3407, 463.790, 467.1005, 480.365, 481.063, 482.170, 482.5536, 483.340, 483.363, 483.575, 483.659, 483.800, 484E.070, 485.316, 503.452, 522.040, 534A.031, 561.285, 571.160, 584.583, 584.655, 587.877, 598.0964, 598.098, 598A.110, 599B.090, 603.070, 603A.210, 604A.710, 612.265, 616B.012, 616B.015, 616B.315, 616B.350, 618.341, 618.425, 622.310, 623.131, 623A.353, 624.110, 624.265, 624.327, 625.425, 625A.185, 628.418, 628B.230, 628B.760, 629.047, 629.069, 630.133, 630.30665, 630.336, 630A.555, 631.368, 632.121, 632.125, 632.405, 633.283, 633.301, 633.524, 634.212, 634.214, 634A.185, 635.158, 636.107, 637.085, 637B.288, 638.087, 638.089, 639.2485, 639.570, 640.075, 640A.220, 640B.730, 640C.400, 640C.745, 640C.760, 640D.190, 640E.340, 641.090, 641A.191, 641B.170, 641C.760, 642.524, 643.189, 644.446, 645.180, 645.625, 645A.050, 645A.082, 645B.060, 645B.092, 645C.220, 645C.225, 645D.130, 645D.135, 645E.300, 645E.375, 645G.510, 645H.320, 645H.330, 647.0945, 647.0947, 648.033, 648.197, 649.065, 649.067, 652.228, 654.110, 656.105, 661.115, 665.130, 665.133, 669.275, 669.285, 669A.310, 671.170, 673.430, 675.380, 676A.340, 676A.370, 677.243, 679B.122, 679B.152, 679B.159, 679B.190, 679B.285, 679B.690, 680A.270, 681A.440, 681B.260, 681B.410, 681B.540, 683A.0873, 685A.077, 686A.289, 686B.170, 686C.306, 687A.110, 687A.115, 687C.010, 688C.230, 688C.480, 688C.490, 692A.117, 692C.190, 692C.3536, 692C.3538, 692C.354, 692C.420, 693A.480, 693A.615, 696B.550, 703.196, 704B.320, 704B.325, 706.1725, 706A.230, 710.159, 711.600, and section 7 of this act, sections 35, 38 and 41 of chapter 478, Statutes of Nevada 2011 and section 2 of chapter 391, Statutes of Nevada 2013 and unless otherwise declared by law to be confidential, all public books and public records of a governmental entity must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by any person, and may be fully copied or an abstract or memorandum may be prepared from those public books and public records. Any such copies, abstracts or memoranda may be used to supply the general public with copies, abstracts or memoranda of the records or may be used in any other way to the advantage of the governmental entity or of the general public. This section does not supersede or in any manner affect the federal laws governing copyrights or enlarge, diminish or affect in any other manner the rights of a person in any written book or record which is copyrighted pursuant to federal law. 2. A governmental entity may not reject a book or record which is copyrighted solely because it is copyrighted. 3. A governmental entity that has legal custody or control of a public book or record shall not deny a request made pursuant to subsection 1 to inspect or copy or receive a copy of a public book or record on the basis that the requested public book or record contains information that is confidential if the governmental entity can redact, delete, conceal or separate the confidential information from the information included in the public book or record that is not otherwise confidential. 4. A person may request a copy of a public record in any medium in which the public record is readily available. An officer, employee or agent of a governmental entity who has legal custody or control of a public record: (a) Shall not refuse to provide a copy of that public record in a readily available medium because the officer, employee or agent has already prepared or would prefer to provide the copy in a different medium. (b) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 239.030, shall, upon request, prepare the copy of the public record and shall not require the person who has requested the copy to prepare the copy himself or herself. Nevada Revised Statutes 483.290 1. An application for an instruction permit or for a driver’s license must: (a) Be made upon a form furnished by the Department. (b) Be verified by the applicant before a person authorized to administer oaths. Officers and employees of the Department may administer those oaths without charge. (c) Be accompanied by the required fee. (d) State the full legal name, date of birth, sex, address of principal residence and mailing address, if different from the address of principal residence, of the applicant and briefly describe the applicant. (e) State whether the applicant has theretofore been licensed as a driver, and, if so, when and by what state or country, and whether any such license has ever been suspended or revoked, or whether an application has ever been refused, and, if so, the date of and reason for the suspension, revocation or refusal. (f) Include such other information as the Department may require to determine the competency and eligibility of the applicant. 2. Every applicant must furnish proof of his or her full legal name and age by displaying: (a) An original or certified copy of the required documents as prescribed by regulation; or (b) A photo identification card issued by the Department of Corrections pursuant to NRS 209.511. 3. The Department shall adopt regulations prescribing the documents an applicant may use to furnish proof of his or her full legal name and age to the Department pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 2. 4. At the time of applying for a driver’s license, an applicant may, if eligible, register to vote pursuant to NRS 293.524. or section 4 of this act. 5. Every applicant who has been assigned a social security number must furnish proof of his or her social security number by displaying: (a) An original card issued to the applicant by the Social Security Administration bearing the social security number of the applicant; or (b) Other proof acceptable to the Department, including, without limitation, records of employment or federal income tax returns. 6. The Department may refuse to accept a driver’s license issued by another state, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States if the Department determines that the other state, the District of Columbia or the territory of the United States has less stringent standards than the State of Nevada for the issuance of a driver’s license. 7. With respect to any document presented by a person who was born outside of the United States to prove his or her full legal name and age, the Department: (a) May, if the document has expired, refuse to accept the document or refuse to issue a driver’s license to the person presenting the document, or both; and (b) Shall issue to the person presenting the document a driver’s license that is valid only during the time the applicant is authorized to stay in the United States, or if there is no definite end to the time the applicant is authorized to stay, the driver’s license is valid for 1 year beginning on the date of issuance. 8. The Administrator shall adopt regulations setting forth criteria pursuant to which the Department will issue or refuse to issue a driver’s license in accordance with this section to a person who is a citizen of any state, the District of Columbia, any territory of the United States or a foreign country. The criteria pursuant to which the Department shall issue or refuse to issue a driver’s license to a citizen of a foreign country must be based upon the purpose for which that person is present within the United States. 9. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Department shall not accept a consular identification card as proof of the age or identity of an applicant for an instruction permit or for a driver’s license. As used in this subsection, “consular identification card” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 232.006. Nevada Revised Statutes 483.850 1. Every application for an identification card must be made upon a form provided by the Department and include, without limitation: (a) The applicant’s: (1) Full legal name. (2) Date of birth. (3) State of legal residence. (4) Current address of principal residence and mailing address, if different from his or her address of principal residence, in this State, unless the applicant is on active duty in the military service of the United States. (b) A statement from: (1) A resident stating that he or she does not hold a valid driver’s license or identification card from any state or jurisdiction; or (2) A seasonal resident stating that he or she does not hold a valid Nevada driver’s license. 2. When the form is completed, the applicant must sign the form and verify the contents before a person authorized to administer oaths. 3. An applicant who has been issued a social security number must provide to the Department for inspection: (a) An original card issued to the applicant by the Social Security Administration bearing the social security number of the applicant; or (b) Other proof acceptable to the Department bearing the social security number of the applicant, including, without limitation, records of employment or federal income tax returns. 4. At the time of applying for an identification card, an applicant may, if eligible, register to vote pursuant to NRS 293.524. or section 4 of this act. 5. A person who possesses a driver’s license or identification card issued by another state or jurisdiction who wishes to apply for an identification card pursuant to this section shall surrender to the Department the driver’s license or identification card issued by the other state or jurisdiction at the time the person applies for an identification card pursuant to this section. The provisions of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any additional expenses of a local government that are related to the provisions of this act. This act becomes effective: 1. Upon passage and approval for the purpose of adopting any regulations and performing any other preparatory administrative tasks necessary to carry out the provisions of this act; and 2. On January 1, 2018, for all other purposes.

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2018

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The secretary of state wrote the ballot language for this measure. The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 38, and the FRE is -37. The word count for the ballot title is 80, and the estimated reading time is 21 seconds. The FKGL for the ballot summary is grade level 11, and the FRE is 39. The word count for the ballot summary is 923, and the estimated reading time is 4 minutes and 6 minutes. In 2018, for the 167 statewide measures on the ballot, the average ballot title or question was written at a level appropriate for those with between 19 and 20 years of U.S. formal education (graduate school-level of education), according to the FKGL formula. Read Ballotpedia's entire 2018 ballot language readability report here.

Support

The Nevada Election Administration Committee led the campaign in support of the initiative. The campaign was a project of iVote, a D.C.-based organization that focuses on voting issues and advocates for automatic voter registration.

Arguments

iVote, the organization that designed the initiative, said the following in support of automatic voter registration:

“

According to the Pew Center on States, as of 2012, approximately 51 million eligible Americans are not registered to vote. This number represents a disproportionate share of low-income voters, people of color, and younger Americans. 30 percent of eligible African Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics, 45 percent of Asian Americans, and 41 percent of young adults (ages 18-24), were not registered to vote in 2008. An Oxford Journal study of Google search terms for registration after registration deadlines had passed, found that between three and four million eligible Americans would have voted, but were too late to register. In short, the opt-in nature of registration is leaving a lot of our democracy at home. By making registration automatic and universal, we have the potential to bring new – disproportionately minority and young – voting power to bear in our elections.

”

Opposition

Arguments

Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), in a statement explaining his veto of the initiative, said:

“

IP1 advances a worthy goal by encouraging more eligible Nevadans to register to vote. However, such a result must partner with sound policy. IP1 fails this test because it extinguishes a fundamental, individual choice—the right of eligible voters to decide for themselves whether they desire to apply to register to vote—forfeiting this basic decision to state government. … the core freedom of deciding whether one wishes to initiate voter registration belongs to the individual, not the government. Moreover, if IP1 became law, it would create an unnecessary risk that people who are not qualified voters may unintentionally apply to vote, subjecting them to possible criminal prosecution, fines, and other legal action.

”

Campaign finance

Total campaign contributions:
Support:	$10,216,225.11
Opposition:	$0.00

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Nevada ballot measures

There were two political action committees, Nevadans For Secure Elections and the Nevada Election Administration Committee, were registered as in support Question 5. The Nevada Election Administration Committee was active during the signature drive for Question 5, and Nevadans For Secure Elections became active following Question 5's certification for the ballot. Together, the committees had raised $10.22 million, with the Sixteen Thirty Fund providing $6.25 million. The committees spent $10.05 million.

There were no political action committees registered to oppose the ballot initiative.

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the initiative.

Committees in support of Question 5 Supporting committees Cash contributions In-kind services Cash expenditures Nevada Election Administration Committee $371,400.00 $0.00 $371,167.00 Nevada Election Administration Committee $9,745,000.00 $99,825.11 $9,582,172.50 Total $10,116,400.00 $99,825.11 $9,953,339.50

Totals in support Total raised: $10,216,225.11 Total spent: $10,053,164.61

Donors

The following was the top donor who contributed to the support committees:

Donor	Cash	In-kind	Total
Sixteen Thirty Fund	$6,250,000.00	$0.00	$6,250,000.00
ACLU	$1,150,000.00	$0.00	$1,150,000.00
George Marcus	$1,000,000.00	$0.00	$1,000,000.00
iVote Fund	$513,400.00	$0.00	$513,400.00
iVote Inc.	$358,000.00	$0.00	$358,000.00

Reporting dates

In Nevada, ballot measure committees filed a total of five campaign finance reports in 2018. The filing dates for reports were as follows:

Campaign finance reporting dates for November 2018 ballot
Date	Report	Period
January 15, 2018	Annual Report for 2017	1/1/2017 - 12/31/2017
May 22, 2018	Report #1	1/1/2018 - 5/18/2018
June 8, 2018	Report #2	5/19/2018 - 6/7/2018
October 16, 2018	Report #3	6/8/2018 - 10/12/2018
November 2, 2018	Report #4	10/13/2018 - 11/1/2018
January 16, 2018	Annual Report for 2018	1/1/2018 - 12/31/2018

Methodology

To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.

Background

Automatic voter registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Before Question 5 was approved on November 6, 2018, registering to vote was something that eligible individuals needed to select to do in Nevada. This is often referred to as an opt-in system of voter registration, as eligible individuals need to opt-in to the voter rolls. Enacting an automatic voter registration (AVR) system would change voter registration from an opt-in system to an opt-out system.

An opt-out system of voter registration is one in which an individual is placed on the voter rolls unless an individual declines registration. Therefore, in states with AVR, the government is responsible for registering individuals, and individuals who do not want the government to register them must choose not to register to vote.

As of 2018, none of the automatic voter registration systems in the U.S. enrolled individuals as registered voters based on citizenship or residential status alone. Rather, AVR was utilized when individuals interacted with specific government agencies, such as state departments of motor vehicles. In Alaska, voters approved an automatic voter registration system in November 2016. The Alaska AVR was designed to register people to vote when signing up to receive a dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund. In 2017, Illinois enacted AVR through the state's vehicle services department and other designated state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Natural Resources.

As of June 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia had enacted automatic voter registration policies. See the map below.

Automatic voter registration, 2024

State	Year enacted	Year implemented	Enacting governor	Authorizing legislation
Alaska	2016	2017	Gov. Bill Walker (I)	Alaska Voter Registration via the Permanent Fund Dividend Application, Ballot Measure 1 (2016)
California	2015	2018	Gov. Jerry Brown (D)	AB 1461
Colorado	--	2017	Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)	Administrative action
Connecticut	--	2016	Gov. Dannel Malloy (D)	Administrative action
Delaware	2021	2023	Gov. John Carney (D)	SB 5
District of Columbia	2016	2018	Mayor Muriel Bowser (D)	B21-0194
Georgia	--	2016	Gov. Nathan Deal (R)	Administrative action
Hawaii	2021	2021	Gov. David Ige (D)	SB 159
Illinois	2017	2018	Gov. Bruce Rauner (R)	SB 1933
Maine	2019	2022	Gov. Janet Mills (D)	HB 1070
Maryland	2018	2019	Gov. Larry Hogan (R)	SB 1048
Massachusetts	2018	2020	Gov. Charlie Baker (R)	HB 4834
Michigan	2018	2019	Gov. Rick Snyder (R)	Proposal 3
Minnesota	2023	2023	Gov. Tim Walz (D)	HF 3
New Jersey	2018	2018	Gov. Phil Murphy (D)	A 2014
New Mexico	2019	2020	Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)	SB 672
New York	2020	2023	Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D)	S.8806
Nevada	2018	2020	Gov. Brian Sandoval (R)	Question 5
Oregon	2015	2016	Gov. Kate Brown (D)	HB 2177
Pennsylvania	--	2023	Gov. Josh Shapiro (D)	Executive action
Rhode Island	2017	2018	Gov. Gina Raimondo (D)	H 5702
Vermont	2016	2017	Gov. Peter Shumlin (D)	H 458
Virginia	2020	2020	Gov. Ralph Northam (D)	HB235/SB219
Washington	2018	2019	Gov. Jay Inslee (D)	HB 2595
West Virginia	2016	2021	Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D)	HB 4013

Oregon

Nevada Question 5 was modeled on the automatic voter registration system implemented in Oregon on January 1, 2016. Oregon became the first state to provide automatic voter registration in the United States. The law was approved in the Oregon State Legislature along partisan lines, with Democrats voting for and Republicans voting against the bill. Known as the Oregon Motor Voter Act or House Bill 2177, the law authorized the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register and update voter information for individuals who are over 17 years old, an Oregon resident, and a U.S. citizen. Between January 1, 2016, and the election on November 8, 2016, about 250,000 voters were registered using the DMV automatic registration system. Turnout for the 2016 election was a record 2.02 million. Voters registered under the automatic system turned out at 43 percent, and those who registered through different means turned out at 82 percent.

Alaska

See also: Alaska Voter Registration via the Permanent Fund Dividend Application, Ballot Measure 1 (2016)

Alaska became the first state to approve an automatic voter registration system at the ballot box on November 8, 2016. Ballot Measure 1 provided for automatic voter registration when qualifying residents sign up to receive a dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF). The measure was designed to allow dividend recipients to opt out of registering to vote, rather than requiring residents to opt-in to the voter rolls. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R) and Daniel S. Sullivan (R) endorsed the initiative. Nearly 65 percent of voters supported the measure. Sponsors of the initiative designed the automatic voter registration system around the APF, rather than the DMV, because more Alaskans sign up for an APF dividend than for a driver’s license.

Voting issues on the ballot in Nevada

See also: Suffrage on the ballot

This initiative would be the fifth voting-related measure on the ballot in Nevada. Voters approved Question 1 in 1971, which lowered the minimum voting age from 21 years to 18 years. In 1970, an amendment was approved to authorize the state legislature to write a law enabling U.S. citizens who are not qualified electors in another state and who do not meet residency requirements in Nevada to vote in the state for President. In 1976 and 2008, Nevadans rejected amendments to reduce the length of residency requirement to register to vote.

Election policy on the ballot in 2018

Electoral system
Electoral systems by state
Ranked-choice voting (RCV)
Academic studies on RCV
Election dates
Election agencies
Election terms
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

Voters considered ballot measures addressing election policy in 15 states in 2018.

Redistricting:

See also: Redistricting measures on the ballot

• Ohio Issue 1, Congressional Redistricting Procedures Amendment (May 2018) a - The Ohio State Legislature, through a bipartisan vote, referred Issue 1 to the ballot for the election on May 8, 2018. The measure was written to change the vote requirements to pass congressional redistricting maps and the standards used in congressional redistricting in Ohio. Voters approved Issue 1.

• Colorado Amendment Y, Independent Commission for Congressional Redistricting Amendment (2018) a - The amendment was written to create a 12-member commission responsible for approving district maps for Colorado's congressional districts. Democrats and Republicans in the Colorado State Legislature voted to refer the measure. It was approved.

• Colorado Amendment Z, Independent Commission for State Legislative Redistricting Amendment (2018) a - The amendment was written to create a 12-member commission responsible for approving district maps for Colorado's state House and state Senate. Democrats and Republicans in the legislature voted to refer the amendment. It was approved.

• Michigan Proposal 2, Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative (2018) a - The organization Voters Not Politicians collected more than the required 315,654 signatures for the initiative. The initiative was designed to transfer the power to draw the state's congressional and legislative districts from the Michigan State Legislature to an independent redistricting commission. It was approved.

• Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative (2018) a - The PAC Clean Missouri collected signatures to get the initiated amendment on the ballot. The measure made changes to the state's lobbying laws, campaign finance limits for state legislative candidates, and legislative redistricting process. The position of nonpartisan state demographer was created. Amendment 1 made the demographer responsible for drawing legislative redistricting maps and presenting them to the House and Senate apportionment commissions.

• Utah Proposition 4, Independent Advisory Commission on Redistricting Initiative (2018) a - The measure created a seven-member independent redistricting commission to draft maps for congressional and state legislative districts. The committee Utahns for Responsive Government collected more than the required 113,143 signatures to get the initiative certified for the ballot.

Voting requirements and ballot access:

• Arkansas Issue 2, Voter ID Amendment (2018) a - Issue 2 was designed to require individuals to present a valid photo ID to cast non-provisional ballots in person or absentee. The Arkansas State Legislature referred the measure to the ballot, with Republicans and four of 30 Democrats voting to put Issue 2 on the ballot. It was approved.

• Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018) a - The committee Floridians for a Fair Democracy collected more than the required 766,200 signatures to get Amendment 4 placed on the ballot. The measure was designed to automatically restore the right to vote for people with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole, and probation. It was approved.

• Louisiana Amendment 1, Felons Disqualified to Run for Office for Five Years Amendment (2018) a - This measure was put on the ballot by the state legislature. Louisiana voters approved Amendment 9 in 1998 to prevent convicted felons from seeking or holding public office for 15 years following the completion of their sentences. Amendment 9 was struck down by the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2016. It was approved.

• Maryland Question 2, Election-Day Voter Registration Amendment (2018) a - Legislative Democrats voted to place the amendment the ballot. The measure was designed to authorize a process for registering qualified individuals to vote at a precinct polling place on election day. It was approved.

• Michigan Proposal 3, Voting Policies in State Constitution Initiative (2018) a - Promote the Vote collected more than 315,654 valid signatures to get the initiative placed on the ballot. Proposal 3 was designed to add several voting policies to the Michigan Constitution, including straight-ticket voting, automatic voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting, and same-day voter registration. It was approved.

• Montana LR-129, Ballot Collection Measure (2018) a - The Montana State Legislature voted to place the measure on the ballot, through the support of 80 of 91 Republicans and one of 59 Democrats. The measure was written to ban persons from collecting the election ballots of other people, with exceptions for certain individuals. It was approved.

• Nevada Question 5, Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative (2018) a - The measure was designed to provide for the automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Nevada Election Administration Committee, a project of iVote, collected more than the required 55,234 signatures to get Question 5 placed on the ballot. It was approved.

• North Carolina Voter ID Amendment (2018) a - This amendment was referred to the ballot by the state legislature along party lines with Republicans voting in favor of it and Democrats voting against it. It created a constitutional requirement that voters present a photo ID to vote in person. It was approved.

• North Dakota Measure 2, Citizen Requirement for Voting Amendment Initiative (2018) a - North Dakotans for Citizen Voting collected more than the required 26,904 valid signatures to qualify this initiative for the ballot. The measure was designed to clarify that only a U.S. citizen can vote in federal, state, and local elections in North Dakota. It was approved.

Arkansas Issue 3, a legislative term limits initiative, was certified for the ballot but was blocked by an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling. The measure would have imposed term limits of six years for members of the Arkansas House of Representatives and eight years for members of the Arkansas Senate. The ruling came too late to remove the measure from the ballot, but the supreme court ordered election officials to not count or certify votes for Issue 3.

Campaign finance, political spending, and ethics:

• Colorado Amendment 75, Campaign Contribution Limits Initiative (2018) d - Proponents collected more than the required 136,328 valid signatures and met the state's distribution requirement to qualify this initiative for the ballot. The measure would have established that if any candidate for state office directs (by loan or contribution) more than one million dollars in support of his or her own campaign, then every candidate for the same office in the same primary or general election may accept five times the aggregate amount of campaign contributions normally allowed. It was defeated.

• Massachusetts Question 2, Advisory Commission for Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Regarding Corporate Personhood and Political Spending Initiative (2018) a - This citizen initiative was designed to establish a 15-member citizens' commission to advocate for certain amendments to the United States Constitution regarding political spending and corporate personhood. It was approved.

• Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative (2018) a - Besides the redistricting provisions of Amendment 1 described above, Missouri Amendment one also made changes to the state's lobbying laws and campaign finance limits for state legislative candidates.

• North Dakota Measure 1, Ethics Commission, Foreign Political Contribution Ban, and Conflicts of Interest Initiative (2018) a - North Dakotans for Public Integrity collected more than the required 26,904 valid signatures to qualify this initiative for the ballot. Measure 1 established an ethics commission, ban foreign political contributions, and enact provisions related to lobbying and conflicts of interest. It was approved.

• South Dakota Constitutional Amendment W, State Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws, Government Accountability Board, and Initiative Process Amendment (2018) d - The committee Represent South Dakota collected more than the required 27,741 signatures to get the initiative certified for the ballot. The measure was designed to revise campaign finance and lobbying laws, create a government accountability board, and enact new laws governing the initiative and referendum process. It was defeated.

• South Dakota Initiated Measure 24, Ban Out-of-State Contributions to Ballot Question Committees Initiative (2018) a - This citizen initiative banned out-of-state contributions to committees supporting or opposing ballot measures within South Dakota. Rep. Mark Mickelson (R-13), speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives, sponsored the initiative. It was approved.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Nevada

Petition drive

In Nevada, signatures for initiated state statutes must be submitted to county officials by the second Tuesday in November of an even-numbered year. For indirect initiatives attempting to make the 2018 ballot, the due date for signatures was November 8, 2016. The number of valid signatures required was 55,234. Under Nevada's distribution requirement, proponents needed to collect 13,809 signatures in each of the state's four congressional districts.

Proponents of the initiative submitted more than 125,000 signatures to county clerks by the deadline on November 8, 2016. County officials were required to verify the signatures by December 1, 2016. On December 2, 2016, the secretary of state's office confirmed that enough signatures were valid and certified the measure for the Nevada legislature.

Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired Ramirez Group to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $357,696.00 was spent to collect the 55,234 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $6.48.

In 2016, four initiatives were certified for the ballot in Nevada. The average CPRS was $5.67. The automatic voter registration initiative's CPRS was about 114 percent of the 2016 average. The CPRS ranged from $1.13 for Question 2, a marijuana legalization initiative, to $12.22 for Question 1, a background checks for firearms initiative.

Political context

See also: Party control of Nevada state government

In 2015 and 2016, Republicans had a trifecta in Nevada, controlling the three centers of state political power—the office of the governor, the state Assembly, and the state Senate. As a result of the 2016 election, Nevada became divided between Republicans and Democrats as Democrats retook both chambers of the state legislature. In the Senate elections, Democrats won 11 of the 21 seats. Independent Sen. Patricia Farley decided to caucus with the Democrats. In the state Assembly elections, Democrats were able to pick up 10 seats, moving from a 17-member minority to a 27-member majority in the 42-member Assembly. Democrats' control of both legislative chambers allowed them to pass the initiative petition without any Republican votes.

Nevada Party Control: 1992-2017

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D
House	D	D	D	S	S	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D

Legislative approval

As an indirect initiative, the measure was certified to appear before the state legislature as an initiated bill. The 2017 legislative session began on February 6, 2017. The legislature had 40 days to address the measure. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the proposed statute would have become law. Although the initiative was approved by the legislature, it was vetoed by the governor, thereby placing the initiative on the ballot. Voting down the initiative would have given the legislature the ability to offer a competing measure alongside the initiative.

The measure was introduced into the state legislature as Initiative Petition 1. On February 16, 2017, the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee approved the initiative along partisan lines, with seven Democrats voting yes to four Republicans voting no. The State Assembly passed the ballot initiative, with the chamber's 27 Democrats voting in favor and 15 Republicans voting against, on February 22, 2017. The Senate approved the measure, 12 to 9 and along party lines, on March 13, 2017.

The final votes in the legislature are below:

Vote in the Nevada State Assembly February 22, 2017
Requirement: Simple majority vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 21  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	27	15	0
Total percent	64.29%	35.71%	0.00%
Democrat	27	0	0
Republican	0	15	0

Vote in the Nevada State Senate March 13, 2017
Requirement: Simple majority vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 11  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	12	9	0
Total percent	57.14%	42.86%	0.00%
Democrat	11	0	0
Republican	0	9	0
Independent	1	0	0

Gubernatorial veto

On March 16, 2017, Initiative Petition 1 was delivered to the governor's desk. Earlier in March, Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said he had not made a decision whether to sign or veto the initiative. On March 21, 2017, Gov. Sandoval vetoed Initiative Petition 1, sending the issue to a public vote in 2018. He said the existing system of voter registration "provides the necessary balance for voluntary and informed voter registration." He continued, "IP1 upsets that balance, removing the element of allowing an individual to initiate the voter registration process, and increasing the possibility of improper registration."

State overview

Pivot counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

There are no Pivot Counties in Nevada. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Related measures

Elections and campaigns measures on the ballot in 2018
State	Measures
South Carolina	South Carolina Amendment 1: Appointed Superintendent of Education Amendment d
North Dakota	North Dakota Measure 1: Ethics Commission, Foreign Political Contribution Ban, and Conflicts of Interest Initiative a
South Dakota	South Dakota Initiated Measure 24, Ban Out-of-State Contributions to Ballot Question Committees Initiative a/ot
South Dakota	South Dakota Constitutional Amendment W, State Campaign Finance and Lobbying Laws, Government Accountability Board, and Initiative Process d
Missouri	Missouri Amendment 1: Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting a
Arizona	Arizona Proposition 306, Clean Election Account Uses and Commission Rulemaking Measure a
Maine	Maine Question 1: Ranked-Choice Voting Delayed Enactment and Automatic Repeal Referendum a
Oklahoma	Oklahoma State Question 798, Governor and Lieutenant Governor Joint Ticket Amendment d
Louisiana	Louisiana Amendment 1: Felons Disqualified to Run for Office for Five Years Amendment a

See also

2018 measures

• 2018 ballot measures
• Voting policy measures on the ballot

Nevada

• Nevada ballot measures
• Nevada ballot measure laws
• Voting in Nevada

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• The Automatic Voter Registration Initiative

Recent news

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Nevada Question 5, Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative (2018) - Google News