Assembly Bill No. 235–Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

March 4, 2003

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

SUMMARY—Provides Voters’ Bill of Rights. (BDR 24‑270)

 

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on Local Government: Yes.

                           Effect on the State: Yes.

 

CONTAINS UNFUNDED MANDATE (§ 4)

(Not Requested by Affected Local Government)

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to elections; providing a Voters’ Bill of Rights; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1  Section 1. Chapter 293 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

1-2  thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2, 3 and 4 of this act.

1-3  Sec. 2.  Section 3 of this act may be cited as the Voters’ Bill of

1-4  Rights.

1-5  Sec. 3.  The Legislature hereby declares that each voter has

1-6  the right:

1-7  1.  To receive and cast a ballot that:

1-8  (a) Is written in a format that allows the clear identification of

1-9  candidates; and

1-10      (b) Accurately records the voter’s preference in the selection of

1-11  candidates.

1-12      2.  To have his questions concerning voting procedures

1-13  answered and to have an explanation of the procedures for voting

1-14  posted in a conspicuous place at the polling place.

1-15      3.  To vote without being intimidated.

1-16      4.  To vote on election day if the voter is waiting in line at his

1-17  polling place to vote before 7 p.m. and he has not already cast his

1-18  vote in that election.

2-1  5.  To return a spoiled ballot to the election board and receive

2-2  another ballot in its place.

2-3  6.  To request assistance in voting, if necessary.

2-4  7.  To a sample ballot which is accurate, informative and

2-5  delivered in a timely manner.

2-6  8.  To receive instruction in the use of the equipment for

2-7  voting during early voting or on election day.

2-8  9.  To have nondiscriminatory equal access to the elections

2-9  system, including, without limitation, a voter who is elderly,

2-10  disabled, a member of a minority group, employed by the military

2-11  or a citizen who is overseas.

2-12      10.  To have a uniform, statewide system for counting and

2-13  recounting all votes accurately.

2-14      11.  To have complaints about elections and election contests

2-15  resolved fairly, accurately and efficiently.

2-16      Sec. 4.  The Secretary of State, each county clerk and each

2-17  city clerk shall:

2-18      1.  Make the Voters’ Bill of Rights readily available to the

2-19  public;

2-20      2.  Maintain a copy of the Voters’ Bill of Rights in his office

2-21  for reproduction and distribution to the public;

2-22      3.  Ensure that the Voters’ Bill of Rights is printed on each

2-23  sample ballot for each election; and

2-24      4.  Ensure that the Voters’ Bill of Rights is posted in a

2-25  conspicuous place, in at least 12-point type, at each polling place.

2-26      Sec. 5.  The provisions of subsection 1 of NRS 354.599 do not

2-27  apply to any additional expenses of a local government that are

2-28  related to the provisions of this act.

 

2-29  H