State Question No. 4 - State Constitutional Rights of Voters Amendment

Summary

This ballot measure would add the state's existing declaration of voters’ rights, which was passed as a statute in 2002, to the Nevada Constitution. It would guarantee the qualified voters have the following rights: 1. To receive and cast a ballot that: (a) Is written in a format that allows the clear identification of candidates; and (b) Accurately records the voter's preference in the selection of candidates. 2. To have questions concerning voting procedures answered and to have an explanation of the procedures for voting posted in a conspicuous place at the polling place. 3. To vote without being intimidated, threatened or coerced. 4. To vote during any period for early voting or on election day if the voter is waiting in line at a polling place at which, by law, the voter is entitled to vote at the time that the polls close and the voter has not already cast a vote in that election. 5. To return a spoiled ballot and receive another ballot in its place. 6. To request assistance in voting, if necessary. 7. To a sample ballot which is accurate, informative and delivered in a timely manner as provided by law. 8. To receive instruction in the use of the equipment for voting during any period for early voting or on election day. 9. To equal access to the elections system without discrimination, including, without limitation, discrimination on the basis of race, age, disability, military service, employment or overseas residence. 10. To a uniform, statewide standard for counting and recounting all votes accurately as provided by law. 11. To have complaints about elections and election contests resolved fairly, accurately and efficiently as provided by law.

A "Yes" vote on this amendment is a vote in favor of a constitutional amendment to provide voters with a constitutional right to certain voting procedures.

A "NO" vote on this amendment is a vote against this constitutional amendment to provide voters with a constitutional right to certain voting procedures.

Arguments

"Many might wonder why these rights should be placed in the Nevada Constitution. Many of these rights are required under HAVA \[U.S. Help America Vote Act of 2002]. They are important basic fundamentals of our democracy. Three amendments to the United States Constitution address voting rights and guarantee voting regardless of race, gender and economic status. The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. If it is good enough to include these guarantees in the U.S. Constitution, it is good enough to include a voters’ bill of rights in the Nevada Constitution. This resolution is about protecting our democracy and the sacred act of voting. There have been many proposals over the years to amend the Nevada Constitution with various provisions that, arguably, should not be in the Constitution. There is a clear exception: Voting is a privilege which other nations have fought to obtain. Voting is at the heart of military missions to protect our democracy and the democracy of others around the world.", in support of State Question No. 4 (Learn more)

"There is a reason that the voting rights listed in Question 4 exist in statute and have not been added to the Nevada Constitution: these voting rights, while vitally important, are not timeless in their structure or application, and the forms they take may change substantially as the ways in which we vote and conduct elections evolve. Future advances in technology will likely make several of the voting matters addressed by Question 4—such as written ballots, polling places, and even in-person voting—obsolete.", in opposition to State Question No. 4 (Learn more)

Measure Details