All Roll Calls
Yes: 38 • No: 23
NevadaAB53483rd Regular Session (2025)House
AN ACT relating to elections; revising provisions relating to voter registration and updating voter registration information; renaming certain provisional ballots to “conditional ballots”; revising provisions relating to certain petitions; revising provisions relating to the publication of certain information by a county clerk; revising provisions relating mail ballots; revising provisions relating to the testing of certain technology prior to an election; defining the term “personal knowledge” for purposes of certain challenges; revising provisions relating to risk-limiting audits; revising provisions relating to certain prohibited conduct in or around a polling place; revising provisions relating to mechanical voting systems; authorizing, under certain circumstances, the Secretary of State to adjust the date of the presidential preference primary election; creating the Voter Access Grant Program and the Account for the Voter Access Grant Program; making various other changes relating to elections; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Sponsored By: Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections
Vetoed
BDR 24-975
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
27 provisions identified: 20 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
Easier voter registration after prison release
County clerks cannot demand proof documents when eligible voters register again after release from prison. This applies when registration was canceled because of a felony conviction and incarceration. Clerks cannot require a court order or another document to prove eligibility to register again.
Stronger safeguards for voter registration records
Challenges claiming a voter is not a U.S. citizen or has moved elsewhere must rely on firsthand knowledge. Information from another person or a database does not qualify. Clerks must cancel registration or preregistration after receiving a sworn death statement from a blood relative within the second degree. If the clerk finds that death-related cancellation was wrong, the clerk must restore the person's registration or preregistration.
Counties must audit election result accuracy
County clerks must conduct election accuracy audits under rules set by the Secretary of State. These audits use statistical methods designed to limit the risk of certifying the wrong election outcome. Sealed voting-equipment test materials stored in county clerk vaults are available for inspection for these audits. That inspection is limited to audit purposes.
New grants support local voter access
The Voter Access Grant Program provides grants to counties, cities, and tribal governments through a new State General Fund account. Grants support election equipment, staff, voter education, outreach, and other approved expenses under state eligibility and application rules. Awards generally follow each area's number of qualified voters. A significant event affecting voter participation can justify a different share. Grants add to, rather than replace, other legally required or authorized funding and support. Unspent account money carries forward, and the Secretary of State reports applications and awards to the Legislature every two years. The law states no total funding amount.
Local governments must use machine vote counts
County and city governments must buy and adopt mechanical systems to count votes in statewide, county, city, and district elections. Using those systems to cast or record votes remains optional. Ending a current system contract requires a state-approved transition plan and proof of a signed replacement contract. Caliente, Carlin, Carson City, Elko, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, and Sparks must provide vote-counting devices that meet state rules. Wells has the same device requirement beginning July 1, 2025; voting devices these cities provide must also meet state rules. The law states no equipment cost.
Earlier mail ballots and firm counting deadlines
City clerks must send mail ballots to active Nevada-resident voters between the fifth and fourth Mondays before the election. This replaces the former 20-day deadline. The Secretary of State sets minimum processing and counting rules, which can allow electronic processing, verification, and counting. County and city counting boards must start counting received mail ballots 15 days before Election Day. Each ballot must be processed within 24 hours unless the Secretary grants a waiver. All counting must finish by the seventh day after the election; a waiver cannot extend that deadline.
Extra delivery time for DMV registrations
County clerks must accept timely completed DMV voter-registration applications received within 5 days after the applicable deadline. With early voting, applicants must complete them by the day before early voting begins. Without early voting, applicants must meet the mail-registration deadline. The DMV must send applications daily during the final 2 weeks before the clerk's acceptance deadline.
More time and protections for voter registration
For elections held with a primary, presidential primary, or general election, county-office registration closes the day before early voting starts. The old deadline was the fourth Tuesday before the election. Clerks must accept qualifying DMV applications received within 5 days after the deadline, if completed by the applicable early-voting or mail-registration deadline. An active voter moving between Nevada counties gets a registration update, not a new registration. Clerks cannot require a conditional ballot solely for that move, except as provided in NRS 293.5832.
New mailing deadlines for voter ballots
Clerks must send active in-state voters’ mail ballots between the fifth and fourth Mondays before an election. This replaces the deadline of 20 days before the election. The general distribution deadline changes from 14 to 18 days before the election, with separate deadlines for some voters. Later registrants’ ballots must be sent no later than 13 days before the election; out-of-state voters’ ballots, 40 days before. Special elections without federal candidates have a 15-day distribution deadline.
Voter challenges must rely on firsthand facts
For specified voter challenges, personal knowledge means facts learned firsthand through experience or observation. Information from another person, a database, or a compilation does not qualify. A precinct’s registered voter making an oral eligibility or already-voted challenge must sign an affirmation under penalty of perjury. Each ground for that challenge must rest on personal knowledge.
Clearer recount rules for congressional candidates
Specified recount rules now include the Nevada Supreme Court’s canvass of congressional general-election returns. A canvass is the official review of election returns. This clarification applies to general elections for U.S. Senate and House candidates.
Election equipment gets testing and audit checks
County clerks must prepare vote-counting programs before every election, not just elections using mechanical voting systems. Required equipment and program testing can start six weeks before early voting. Testing must finish by 5 p.m. the day before early voting begins. Programs, test ballots, and official ballots preserved with the clerk after the last accuracy test are subject to audit inspection. These election accuracy audits follow state regulations.
Election officials get earlier equipment testing windows
Counties using electronic voter rosters must test them under the Secretary of State’s rules. Testing can finish no earlier than 6 weeks before early voting, replacing the previous 2-week limit. It must finish by 5 p.m. the day before early voting starts. Pre-election tests of covered voting devices, automatic counting equipment, and programs use the same six-week window.
Exit pollers gain limited speaking rights
People conducting exit polls may solicit a vote or discuss marking a ballot in areas covered by this rule. This exception does not remove the separate ban on electioneering.
Exit pollsters gain limited polling-place exemptions
People conducting exit polls are exempt from specified restrictions on conduct inside or outside polling places. The exemption also covers specified restrictions on speaking with voters about marking ballots. It applies only to exit-poll activity, not other conduct or the public generally.
More online information about constitutional measures
County clerks may share initiative-proposed constitutional amendments and explanations through added channels, including websites and social media. For a proposed constitution or amendment on the general election ballot, online materials may include the full text and summary. They may also include explanations, arguments, rebuttals, and fiscal notes. This online publication supplements required newspaper publication rather than replacing it.
Presidential primary dates can shift
Nevada's presidential primary normally falls on the first Tuesday in February of each presidential election year. The Secretary of State can change that date with Legislative Commission approval. County clerks can also publish primary notices on their websites or social media, in addition to newspaper publication.
State officials can adjust presidential primary dates
The Secretary of State may change the presidential preference primary date with Legislative Commission approval. Otherwise, the primary remains on the first Tuesday in February of each presidential election year.
Statewide rules for checking and counting ballots
The Secretary of State sets minimum mail-ballot processing and counting rules, replacing county and city control over those minimums. Rules may allow electronic processing, checking, and counting, but must follow state mail-ballot laws. Counting boards must start 15 days before election day, process ballots within 24 hours of receipt, and finish by the seventh day afterward. The Secretary may waive the 24-hour rule when a board cannot meet it, but cannot extend the final deadline. Clerks may also use state-approved added signature indicators for registrations through the Secretary’s system, automatic registration agencies, or NRS 293D.230 with digital or electronic signatures.
Voters can find election notices online
County clerks may publish covered election notices through websites or social media instead of only newspapers. Primary and general election notices must appear once weekly for two successive weeks and list election dates, polling places, and hours. Early voting schedules must list every permanent and temporary location, with its dates and hours. Clerks must publish those schedules the week before early voting and at least once weekly during it. The separate polling-place location publication requirement does not apply when every site serves any county voter on primary or general election day.
Local election costs get spending exception
Additional local government expenses tied to this law are exempt from the spending rule in NRS 354.599. This exception took effect upon passage and approval. The law states no expense amount and imposes no direct payment duty on residents.
Late online registrants must vote in person
If you register online fewer than 18 days before an election, you must vote in person at designated polling places. This expands the in-person-only period from fewer than 14 days to fewer than 18 days. You must cast a conditional ballot unless officials verify your eligibility for a regular ballot at that location.
Local voting equipment changes face new limits
Ending a contract for mechanical voting equipment currently used in Nevada remains provisional without two steps. The local governing body must obtain the Secretary of State’s approval of a transition plan. It must also sign a contract to purchase, lease, or use replacement equipment. Precincts using mechanical systems to cast ballots may have no more than 5,000 registered voters, excluding inactive voters.
Petition organizers face longer signature reviews
Clerks get 9 working days to count signatures on covered petitions, or 7 for minor-party and independent-candidate petitions. The 9-day deadline has an exception under NRS 295.056. Once the Secretary finds submitted signatures reach 100% of the required number, verification deadlines are 25 working days for statewide-officer recalls. Minor-party and independent partisan-candidate petitions have an 8-working-day deadline; other covered petitions have 14. Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Clerks may also delay starting referendum and some initiative reviews; the supplied summary does not identify the legal grounds for delay.
Earlier registration cutoff for mail voting
Clerks must send mail ballots to people who register or update their information at least 18 days before an election. The previous cutoff was 14 days. People applying to register online less than 18 days before the election must vote in person. Voters who previously opted out can request a mail ballot for a specific election. Their written request, using the clerk’s form, must arrive at least 14 days before election day.
Registration deadlines depend on election type
For primary, presidential primary, and general elections, mail registration closes the fourth Tuesday before Election Day. Regular in-person registration closes the day before early voting starts, while online registration stays open through Election Day. For separately held recall or special elections, including city elections, mail registration closes the second Tuesday before the election. Regular in-person registration closes the day before early voting starts. Without early voting, it closes the third Saturday before the election; online registration remains open through Election Day.
Candidates face earlier deadlines and filing protections
Covered minor-party and independent partisan-candidate petitions have a 25-working-day advance submission requirement, replacing 10 working days. Independent candidates must also file a petition copy before collecting signatures, at least 25 working days before final filing. The completed independent-candidate petition filing period runs from the second Monday after the primary through the third Friday afterward. The closing time is 5 p.m., and documents submitted to county clerks for verification must be submitted during that period. A timely submission stays timely even if the clerk’s certificate arrives late; applicable signature requirements still apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/2/2025
Final Passage - Senate (1st Reprint)
Yes: 13 • No: 8
House vote • 5/31/2025
Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint)
Yes: 25 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Vetoed by the Governor.
6/12/2025legislatureEnrolled and delivered to Governor.
6/6/2025legislatureIn Assembly. To enrollment.
6/4/2025HouseTo Assembly.
6/2/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 13, Nays: 8.)
6/2/2025SenateRead second time.
6/1/2025SenatePlaced on Second Reading File.
6/1/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass.
6/1/2025SenateRead first time. Referred to Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections. To committee.
5/31/2025SenateIn Senate.
5/31/2025SenateRead third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 25, Nays: 15, Excused: 2.) To Senate.
5/31/2025HouseFrom printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.
5/31/2025HouseTo printer.
5/30/2025HouseRead third time. Amended. (Amend. No. 928.)
5/30/2025HouseDispensed with reprinting.
5/30/2025HouseRead third time. Amended. (Amend. No. 909.)
5/30/2025HousePlaced on General File.
5/30/2025HouseTaken from Chief Clerk's desk.
5/30/2025HousePlaced on Chief Clerk's desk.
5/28/2025HouseTaken from General File.
5/28/2025HousePlaced on General File.
5/28/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass.
5/28/2025HouseRereferred to Committee on Ways and Means. Exemption effective. To committee.
4/15/2025HouseTaken from General File.
4/15/2025HouseRead second time.
4/15/2025House
Bill Text
As Enrolled
As Introduced
Reprint 1
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