N.R.S. 293C.387 – Returns filed with city clerk; canvass of returns; preparation and entering of abstract of votes; limitation on inspection of returns; certificates of election
Overview of Statute
This section provides rules, requirements, and procedures for the city clerk, mayor, and city governing body as they handle and canvass election returns.
Statute
1. The election returns from a special election, primary city election or general city election must be filed with the city clerk, who shall immediately place the returns in a safe or vault designated by the city clerk. No person may handle, inspect or in any manner interfere with the returns until they are canvassed by the mayor and the governing body of the city.
2. After the governing body of a city receives the returns from all the precincts and districts in the city, it shall meet with the mayor to canvass the returns. The canvass must be completed on or before the 10th day following the election.
3. In completing the canvass of the returns, the governing body of the city and the mayor shall:
(a) Note separately any clerical errors discovered; and
(b) Take account of the changes resulting from the discovery, so that the result declared represents the true vote cast.
4. After the canvass is completed, the governing body of the city and mayor shall declare the result of the canvass.
5. The city clerk shall enter upon the records of the governing body of the city an abstract of the result. The abstract must be prepared in the manner prescribed by regulations adopted by the Secretary of State and must contain the number of votes cast for each candidate.
6. After the abstract is entered, the:
(a) City clerk shall seal the election returns, maintain them in a vault for at least 22 months and give no person access to them during that period, unless access is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the governing body of the city.
(b) Governing body of the city shall, by an order made and entered in the minutes of its proceedings, cause the city clerk to:
(1) Certify the abstract;
(2) Make a copy of the certified abstract;
(3) Make a mechanized report of the abstract in compliance with regulations adopted by the Secretary of State;
(4) Transmit a copy of the certified abstract and the mechanized report of the abstract to the Secretary of State within 7 working days after the election; and
(5) Transmit on paper or by electronic means to each public library in the city, or post on a website maintained by the city or the city clerk on the Internet or its successor, if any, a copy of the certified abstract within 30 days after the election.
7. After the abstract of the results from a:
(a) Primary city election has been certified, the city clerk shall certify the name of each person nominated and the name of the office for which the person is nominated.
(b) General city election has been certified, the city clerk shall:
(1) Issue under his or her hand and official seal to each person elected a certificate of election; and
(2) Deliver the certificate to the persons elected upon their application at the office of the city clerk.
8. The officers elected to the governing body of the city qualify and enter upon the discharge of their respective duties on the first regular meeting of that body next succeeding that in which the canvass of returns was made pursuant to subsection 2.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3439; A 2003, 2256; 2007, 622; 2009, 519; 2019, c.619.)
1. Definition for General city election
An election held pursuant to NRS 293C.115, 293C.140 or 293C.145. The term includes a general municipal election held pursuant to the provisions of a special charter of an incorporated city.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.059.
2. Definition for Primary city election
An election held pursuant to NRS 293C.115 or 293C.175. The term includes a primary municipal election held pursuant to the provisions of a special charter of an incorporated city.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.079.
3. Definition for Certificate of election
A certificate prepared by the county or city clerk or Governor, as the case may be, for the person having the highest number of votes for any district, county, township, city, state or statewide office as official recognition of the person’s election to office.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.034.
4. Definition for Clerk
The election board officer designated or assigned to make the record of the election in the roster, tally list and challenge list in the precinct, district or polling place in which such officer is appointed.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.040.
5. Definition for State
A state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293D.080.
6. Definition for Person
1. A natural person;
2. Any form of business or social organization;
3. Any nongovernmental legal entity, including, without limitation, a corporation, partnership, association, trust, unincorporated organization, labor union, committee for political action, political party and committee sponsored by a political party; or
4. A government, governmental agency or political subdivision of a government.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 294A.009.
7. Definition for Canvass
A review of the election results by the board of county commissioners or the mayor and city council or the justices of the Supreme Court, by which any errors within the election results are officially noted and the official election results are declared.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.032.
8. Definition for Precinct
The smallest voting area in a political subdivision.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.077.
9. Definition for Candidate
Any person:
1. Who files a declaration of candidacy;
2. Who files an acceptance of candidacy;
3. Whose name appears on an official ballot at any election; or
4. Who has received one or more contributions in excess of $100, regardless of whether:
(a) The person has filed a declaration of candidacy or an acceptance of candidacy; or
(b) The name of the person appears on an official ballot at any election.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 294A.005.