Voter Registration in Nevada
In order to participate in an election in the state of Nevada, you must register to vote before you may cast your ballot for any candidates. Nevada provides voters the ability to obtain voter registration via mail, in person or by completing the registration process online. Strict adherence to guidelines for the process makes sure that Nevada’s elections maintain a high level of integrity and transparency so that the voters and democracy are well-served.
It is also necessary that all Nevada residents wishing to participate in elections held in the state must meet the requirements for eligibility as proscribed by law. These requirements include age, residency and citizenship requirements. In addition to this, people may register to vote at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as through the conventional agencies and offices. To find out more about voter registration in Nevada continue reading the article below.
Who can register to vote in Nevada?
Registering to vote in Nevada requires that you meet certain criteria. Among the criteria you must meet are the following:
- Citizenship – You must be a United States citizen in order to cast a ballot in Nevada.
- Age – You must be 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.
- Residency – Those who wish to register to vote in Nevada must become a resident of the state 30 days before the election takes place and a resident of your precinct 10 days before election day.
- You may not claim any other location as your residence and vote in Nevada.
- Competency – Anyone ruled mentally incompetent by a court of law may not cast a ballot in Nevada.
Nevada residents who have been convicted of a non-violent felony have their voting rights restored after their discharge from incarceration or their parole. If the conviction was for a violent felony, they must apply to have their voting rights restored to them.
Nevada Voter Registration Deadline
The Nevada Secretary of State as well as the DMV close registration for voting 30 days before an election. Any applications must be turned in or postmarked by that time otherwise the applicant will not be eligible to vote in that election.
How to Register to Vote in Nevada
You may register to vote in Nevada using various methods. Both the Office of the Secretary of State as well as the DMV offer avenues for registration. You may complete your registration online, by mail or by doing so in person. Registering to vote online may prove the most convenient option. By visiting the Secretary of State’s website, you will be prompted with the instructions for completing the task online. You will need a valid Nevada driver’s license or state ID card in order to finish the process.
To complete voter registration in person or by mail you can also use the Nevada Secretary of State’s application form. This is also the form to use if you do not yet have a Nevada drivers license or state ID card. You can visit the website and print the form from there. The website will confirm certain information before permitting you to print out the form. Once you print it out and complete it you will need to make two copies and bring a signed copy into the office of the registrar or county clerk or to the DMV. Keep the other for your records.
Early Voting in Nevada
Nevada offers early voting to every eligible and registered voter in the state. To vote early simply report to any location that participates in early voting. You can find the location nearest you by visiting the Nevada Secretary of State’s website.
Nevada Voter Registration for Active Duty Military and Out-Of-State Residents
For Nevadans wondering how to register to vote while on active military duty or living overseas, there are several ways to go about it. These also apply to spouses of those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or living overseas, as well as their dependents. People needing to register to vote can do so by the Nevada Effective Absentee System for Elections (EASE). You can use this system to:
- Register to vote.
- Change voter registration information such as an address.
- Cast an absentee ballot.
This system is typically available 45 days out from the election day and remains available until the polls close. Voters can register before the system is available through the Secretary of State’s website registration page. However, you must request a ballot directly from the county clerk. The EASE system will ask you for the following information:
- Name
- Nevada address
- Current mailing address
- Driver’s license number or state ID number
- Last four digits of your Social Security number
- Email address
You may elect to mail in your voter registration application to your local county clerk’s office. This automatically triggers a request for an absentee ballot which your county clerk will mail to you.
Nevada Voter Registration for Absentee Voting
The absentee ballot process works just like that for those Nevada voters who are in the armed forces or living overseas.
How to Change Your Voter Registration in Nevada
Nevada voters may use the EASE system to change any records or information that need updating such as address changes or name changes.