N.R.S. 293C.530 – Sample ballots: Distribution; exceptions; inclusion of certain matters; required notices; form and type size; cost of distributing responsibility of city for city elections
Overview of Statute
This section provides procedures and requirements related to the creation and distribution to all registered voters a sample ballot via mail or electronic means.
Statute
1. A city clerk may establish a system for distributing sample ballots by electronic means to each registered voter who elects to receive a sample ballot by electronic means. Such a system may include, without limitation, electronic mail or electronic access through an Internet website. If a city clerk establishes such a system and a registered voter elects to receive a sample ballot by electronic means, the city clerk shall distribute the sample ballot to the registered voter by electronic means pursuant to the procedures and requirements set forth by regulations adopted by the Secretary of State.
2. If a registered voter does not elect to receive a sample ballot by electronic means pursuant to subsection 1, the city clerk shall distribute the sample ballot to the registered voter by mail.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, before the period for early voting for any election begins, the city clerk shall distribute to each registered voter in the city by mail or electronic means, as applicable, the sample ballot for his or her precinct, with a notice informing the voter of the location of his or her polling place or places. If the location of the polling place or places has changed since the last election:
(a) The city clerk shall mail a notice of the change to each registered voter in the city not sooner than 10 days before distributing the sample ballots; or
(b) The sample ballot must also include a notice in bold type immediately above the location which states:
NOTICE: THE LOCATION OF YOUR POLLING PLACE OR PLACES HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST ELECTION
4. If a person registers to vote less than 20 days before the date of an election, the city clerk is not required to distribute to the person the sample ballot for that election by mail or electronic means.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, a sample ballot required to be distributed pursuant to this section must:
(a) Be prepared in at least 12-point type;
(b) Include the description of the anticipated financial effect and explanation of each citywide measure and advisory question, including arguments for and against the measure or question, as required pursuant to NRS 295.205 or 295.217; and
(c) Include on the front page, in a separate box created by bold lines, a notice prepared in at least 20-point bold type that states:
NOTICE: TO RECEIVE A SAMPLE BALLOT IN
LARGE TYPE, CALL (Insert appropriate telephone number)
6. The word “Incumbent” must appear on the sample ballot next to the name of the candidate who is the incumbent, if required pursuant to NRS 293.2565.
7. A portion of a sample ballot that contains a facsimile of the display area of a voting device may include material in less than 12-point type to the extent necessary to make the facsimile fit on the pages of the sample ballot.
8. The sample ballot distributed to a person who requests a sample ballot in large type by exercising the option provided pursuant to NRS 293.508, or in any other manner, must be prepared in at least 14-point type, or larger when practicable.
9. If a person requests a sample ballot in large type, the city clerk shall ensure that all future sample ballots distributed to that person from the city are in large type.
10. The city clerk shall include in each sample ballot a statement indicating that the city clerk will, upon request of a voter who is elderly or disabled, make reasonable accommodations to allow the voter to vote at his or her polling place or places and provide reasonable assistance to the voter in casting his or her vote, including, without limitation, providing appropriate materials to assist the voter. In addition, if the city clerk has provided pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 293C.281 for the placement at centralized voting locations of specially equipped voting devices for use by voters who are elderly or disabled, the city clerk shall include in the sample ballot a statement indicating:
(a) The addresses of such centralized voting locations;
(b) The types of specially equipped voting devices available at such centralized voting locations; and
(c) That a voter who is elderly or disabled may cast his or her ballot at such a centralized voting location rather than at the voter’s regularly designated polling place or places.
11. The cost of distributing sample ballots for a city election must be borne by the city holding the election.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 3441; A 2001, 1438, 2002, 2962; 2003, 200, 208, 210, 1660, 1710, 3198; 2007, 1183, 2531; 2011, 2103; 2013, 649; 2015, 2644, 3175; 2017, 413, 3341; 2019, c.619.)
1. Definition for Sample ballot
1. “Sample ballot” means a document distributed by a county or city clerk upon which is included a list of the offices, candidates and ballot questions that will appear on a ballot.
2. The term includes, without limitation, any such document which is prepared on a computer and distributed by mail or electronic means pursuant to NRS 293.565 or 293C.530.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.097.
2. Definition for Registered voter
An elector who has completed the procedure prescribed by law for registration as a voter.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.090.
3. Definition for Mail
The depositing of printed or written matter in a mailbox or post office for delivery by the United States Postal Service.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.065.
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 Ballot
The record of a voter’s preference of candidates and questions voted upon at an election. The term includes, without limitation, any paper given to a voter upon which the voter places his or her vote and any electronic storage tapes.
See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.025.
7. 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.
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.