This is how Nevada plans to ensure election security despite voter anxiety

CLARK COUNTY (KTNV) — The 2024 presidential election is just over a week away and masses of people still flock to polling stations during early voting in Clark County.

Many viewers told Channel 13 about it concerns they have with the electoral process.

These concerns include double voting, fears of voter violence, and even concerns about campaigning and voter intimidation.

I have forwarded your concern to Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar.

“You can never be 100% safe, but at the same time you can definitely take steps to do your best,” said Xan Clancy, who dropped off his mail-in ballot at the Desert Breeze polling station in the southwest. . valley on Monday.

Clancy left his ballot with Jonathan Nelson.

“At least I feel a little more confident that I was able to fill it at home, but I came here and left it in a safe place,” Nelson said.

Despite some concerns, they both told me they are confident in the state’s ability to ensure the integrity and security of elections.

“Nevada has some of the safest and most reliable elections in the country,” said Secretary Aguilar.

Aguilar told me Monday that there are several state laws and safeguards in place to prevent these voter concerns and ensure voter integrity.

“Each mail-in ballot in Nevada has its own code, so we know that that code is only assigned to one ballot, so we can track it across our 17 counties,” Secretary Aguilar said. “And if they vote in person first and then try to send a mail-in ballot, when the county receives the mail-in ballot, it will be flagged and put into special status for review and research.”

Here is Nevada’s dual voting law:

NRS 293.780 Voting more than once in same election.

1. A person entitled to vote shall not vote or attempt to vote more than once in the same election. Any person who votes or attempts to vote twice at the same election is guilty of a Class D felony and shall be punished in accordance with NRS 193.130.

2. The district or city clerk must notify the provisions of paragraph 1 as follows:
(a) stated on all sample ballots distributed by mail or electronic means;
(b) Be posted in bold type at each polling station; and
(c) Published in bold type in the office of the county or city clerk.

section Aguilar told me that voters must either turn in their mail-in ballot or sign a form saying they will not fill out their unused ballot if they vote in person.

Election officials will mark the ballot as invalid and dispose of it properly if you choose to return in person.

Here is the state law regarding mail-in ballots:

NRS 293.269917 Procedure for voting by mail; the procedure for personal voting after sending the postal ballot to the voter.

1. With the exception of the cases provided for in NRS 293.269919 and section 293D LRC, in order to vote by postal ballot, the voter must, according to the instructions:
(a) Mark and fold the ballot paper;
(b) keep the postal ballot in a return envelope and seal the return envelope;
(c) put your signature on the return envelope in the space provided for signature; and
(d) Mail or deliver the return envelope as permitted by law.

2. Unless otherwise provided in section 293D NRS, voting shall be conducted only for candidates whose names appear on the postal ballot prepared in accordance with NRS 293.269911and no person may write on behalf of an additional candidate for any office.

3. If a ballot was sent by mail to a voter who applies to vote in person at a polling station, including, in particular, a polling station for early voting, the voter must, in addition to fulfilling all other requirements for voting at the person specified in of this section, submit a mail-in ballot or sign a statement under penalty of perjury that the voter did not vote during the election. The person who receives the submitted postal ballot marks it as “Cancelled”.

Regarding direct campaigning to voters at polling stations — known as electioneering — it must be done more than 100 feet from the entrance to the polling place.

“It’s, you know, managing the difference between enthusiasm and force and intimidation,” Secretary Aguilar said.

As long as they keep their distance and do not use force, intimidation or any form of violence, they are perfectly legal and can support their candidate.

WATCH | What state laws say about political demonstrations outside polling places

What state laws say about political demonstrations outside polling places

Recent Associated Press poll found that 4 in 10 registered voters nationwide are extremely or very concerned about possible violent attempts to overturn the election results.

section Aguilar said our state has an Election Integrity Task Force made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that work together to stop any violence and make sure the voting process in Nevada is safe even after the closing. polling stations.

Early voting continues until Friday, November 1. You can also vote in person on Election Day, November 5.

our Handbook for voters for 2024 contains answers to questions you may have while voting, including where to find a polling station in your area and a breakdown of the seven questions you’ll find on your ballot in 2024.