Since September, 2013 the Nevada Election Modernization and
Reform Act (NEMRA) and I have been traveling an exciting road. From meetings
meant to determine if the concept was worth moving forward to meetings with
legislators and group judging level of interest and support, there was never a
dull moment.
February 16th, the last day for committee bill
draft requests (BDR) the first milestone was achieved when the Senate
Legislative Operations and Elections Committee filed a BDR. Then on March 23rd,
the deadline for committee bill introductions, BDR 1149 became SB 499.
Yesterday, April 1st, the bill had a hearing in the Senate
Legislative Operations and Elections Committee. Following the hearing I was
told the votes were not there to advance the bill to the full senate.
Yes, I am disappointed, yet at the same time accepting and grateful.
Discussion of this important issue was stared. Some key legislators and groups
expressed real interest. And getting a bill introduced and a hearing on such a
major change was a significant accomplishment. This may be the end of the road
for this session but it is not the end of the road for NEMRA.
Because of a state constitutional concern, the ranked choice
/ instant runoff provision had been removed and the bill became a modified
top-two. The modification was that no more than one candidate from any
political party or independent could advance. This would prevent two members of
the same party or two independent candidates facing off in the general
election, however, it also could mean a candidate finishing third or lower
could advance. I had some concern about this change but accepted it since it
meant having a bill that still achieved the two basic goals; opening the
primary elections to all voters and ensuring the winner received a true
majority of the votes cast, introduced.
So now, the hurry up and wait game of advocating and lobbying
is in a time-out until the interim. The constitutional concern can be resolved;
it’s an issue of interpretation based on the history and purpose of the
plurality clause. I’ll be mapping out the best course of action and hopefully
have NEMRA once again addressed by the 2017 Nevada Legislature.
