by April Corbin Girnus, Nevada Current
A proposed voter identification ballot measure has qualified for the general election in Nevada, organizers announced Friday.
The Nevada Secretary of State confirmed that Repair the Vote’s proposed constitutional amendment passed the signature validation process and will appear before voters this fall. Nevadans will have to approve it in two subsequent general elections — 2024 and 2026 — before it can go into effect.
Under the proposal, voters would be required to present valid photo identification before casting a ballot in person during early voting or on Election Day. Voters casting ballots by mail would have to list either the last four digits of their Nevada driver’s license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or a number assigned to them by the county they are registered to vote in.
Nevad has expanded voter access in recent years, implementing automatic voter registration, universal mail ballots and other policies designed to make it easier for people to participate in elections. But expanded access has been met with unfounded concerns about mass voter fraud and election integrity.
“We are elated to have met another massive milestone in this process; now it is up to Nevadans,” said David Gibbs, chair of Repair The Vote, in a statement, adding that signature validation “underscores the strong support from citizens across the Silver State who are committed to protecting the sanctity of our voting system.”
But the PAC’s announcement was met with quick criticism.
“The proposed voter ID measure would dramatically change our voting system and complicate voting for individuals in our communities,” said Emily Persaud-Zamora, executive director of Silver State Voices, in a statement. “Voter ID laws disproportionately impact voters of color and do nothing to make our elections more secure.”
Persaud-Zamora cited research finding that 15% of low-income voters lack acceptable forms of photo identification.
The proposed voter ID requirement ballot question will appear alongside six other measures already slated to appear on the general election ballot.
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