Existing law sets forth certain deadlines for registering to vote by mail, computer or appearing in person at the office of the county or city clerk. (NRS 293.560, 293C.527) Existing law also authorizes an elector to register to vote after such deadlines: (1) through the Thursday preceding the election, by computer using the online registration system provided on the Internet website of the Office of the Secretary of State; and (2) after such online registration, by appearing in person during the period for early voting or on election day. To register to vote during such periods, an elector must provide his or her driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles and, if the license or identification card does not include his or her current residential address, certain documents establishing proof of residency. (NRS 293.5837-293.5847) Sections 1.6 and 2 of this bill instead provide that to register to vote in person during the period for early voting or on election day, an elector must, with certain exceptions, provide a current and valid driver's license or identification card issued by this State, another state, the District of Columbia or a territory of the United States or provide a tribal identification card as proof of identity. If the elector's driver's license or identification card was issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles and shows the elector's current residential address, the driver's license or identification card is also proof of the elector's residency. If the elector's tribal identification card shows the elector's current residential address, the tribal identification card is also proof of the elector's residency.
If the elector's driver's license or identification card was not issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the elector may cast a provisional ballot if he or she completes a written affirmation. Any such elector who casts a provisional ballot must provide a current and valid driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, an interim document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or a tribal identification card demonstrating proof of residency by 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately following election day.
Sections 1.6 and 2 also provide that if an elector's driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles does not have the elector's current residential address, the elector may present an original, electronic or certified copy of a document as proof of residency and that, for certain documents, such document must be dated not more than 60 days before the date the elector is registering to vote.
Sections 1.6 and 2 further provide that if an elector does not have a driver's license or identification card issued by this State or another state, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States or a tribal identification card, the elector may cast a provisional ballot if he or she completes a written affirmation. Any such elector who casts a provisional ballot must provide a current and valid driver's license, identification card or interim document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or a tribal identification card demonstrating proof of identity and residency in this State by 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately following election day.
Existing law authorizes the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles to arrange for extended hours of operation for offices of the Department in a county whose population is 100,000 or more (currently Clark County and Washoe County). (NRS 481.057) Section 3 of this bill provides that, in a county whose population is 100,000 or more, the Director is required to arrange for the offices of the Department to remain open on Saturdays and Sundays and at hours other than 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a person to only apply for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver's license or identification card issued by the Department: (1) during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the last day to register to vote by mail for a primary election, presidential preference primary election or general election; and (2) during the 6 calendar days immediately following the day of a primary election, presidential preference primary election or general election. Section 3 further prohibits the Department from requiring, in a county whose population is 100,000 or more, a person to have an appointment to apply for the issuance or renewal of any type of driver's license or identification card issued by the Department: (1) during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the last day to register to vote by mail for a primary election, presidential preference primary election or general election; and (2) during the 6 calendar days immediately following the day of a primary election, presidential preference primary election or general election.
Section 3.5 of this bill makes an appropriation from the State Highway Fund to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the costs of additional security services for the extended hours of operation required by section 3.
Statutes affected: As Introduced: 293.5842, 293.5847, 481.057
Reprint 1: 293.3081, 293.3082, 293.5842, 293.5847, 481.057
Reprint 2: 293.5842, 293.5847, 481.057
As Enrolled: 293.5842, 293.5847, 481.057
BDR: 293.5842, 293.5847, 481.057