Election Related Bills in the 2015 Nevada Legislature – What Happened to Them

48 out of 1294 Bill Draft Requests (BDRs). 40 out of 1075 bills and resolutions. These numbers represent the legislation relating to elections dealt with by the just completed session of the Nevada Legislature. What was the outcome?

Five bills became law. Two of these were measures applying only to Carson City; If a candidate receives a majority of votes in the primary election for a non-partisan office, that candidate is considered elected and Clark County; requiring members of advisory boards in counties having a population of more than 700,000 to be elected. One changed expenditure reporting requirements and related matters. The other two bills could be considered major changes. AB 94 allows for sample ballots to be provided to voters via electronic means. This will save counties significant funds and brings the dissemination of information to a method preferred by today’s voters. AB 94 passed both the Assembly and Senate unanimously. SB499 extends the date by which third-party and independent candidates must file nomination petitions. This bill settles a law suit brought by the Green Party. By extending the date, it affords these candidates greater ballot access. (Note: SB 499 was originally filed as a modified top-two primary but stripped and amended in committee).

Seventeen bills were passed by committees in one or both chambers and died either on the floor or in Ways and Means / Finance committees. These bills dealt with everything from font size of print on election material to voter ID and presidential primaries. In addition to voter ID and presidential primaries other significant bills that died in this group included a constitutional amendment calling for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to be elected as a slate, candidate residency requirements and increase penalties for violation of these requirements, and a requirement calling for voter registration workers to register with election officials.

The remaining eighteen bills did not receive a hearing in either the originating chamber or second chamber. These bills included issues on voter fraud and ID, ward voting in certain city primary elections, appointment of a reapportionment commission, a voters’ bill of rights, restoration of voting rights to felons, and appointment of school boards.

Looking at the 40 bills that were considered, many that died would have allowed Nevada to make significant improvements in its election process. Whether they died because of fiscal requirements, partisan divisions, or simply got caught up in the political gamesmanship that is a legislative session is hard to pinpoint. It will be interesting to see how many of these bills come back for the 2017 session and what happens to them then. 

Did the Partisanship of the Nevada Legislative Session Impact Voter Registration

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office released the voter registration totals for May on June 2^, 2015. The 78^th regular session of the Nevada legislature was three-quarters through a session full of partisan bickering and a split GOP caucus. Party-line or near party-line votes appeared to be the rule rather than the exception in both committee and on the floor. (I’ll be posting a detailed analysis of this in the next few months)  Did the Partisanship of the Nevada Legislative Session Impact Voter Registration?

Due to registration rolls maintenance, Washoe County lost 16,575 voters, or 7.09%. In spite of this, the overall statewide numbers remained virtually unchanged, +306. Of the 1.193million active registered voters, 25.91% still choose not to associate with either of the two major political parties. This was an increase of 0.03% over April.

In Clark County all categories showed in increase in registration. This coincides with the increase of over 6,000 active registered voters. Registration as Non-Partisan saw the largest increase, 1.13%. The GOP followed with an increase of 0.77%, the Democratic Party registered an increase of 0.62% and the minor parties increased 0.42%

Among active voters 18 – 34 years of age, 23.6% of all active voters, only Non-Partisan showed an increase, 0.31%.  The GOP lost 0.11%, the Democratic Party lost 0.27%, and the minor parties lost 0.77%.  As has been the trend, 37.5% of younger voters choose not to affiliate with either major political party.

The largest and most active voters in the state are those 55 years of age and above. This group comprises 43.8% of active registered voters. 19.1% choose not to affiliate with either the Republican or Democratic Party; 13.9% are registered Non-Partisan. In May, this number increased by 0.49%, far outpacing the increases of the Democratic Party (0.08%), the GOP (0.16%), and minor parties (0.16%).

Did the Partisanship of the Nevada Legislative Session Impact Voter Registration or was May just a normal month, a continuation of the several year trend?  We are only twelve months away from the next primary election. How large a percentage of the active electorate will Non-Partisan and minor party affiliated voters encompass? How will the state deal with the issue during the 79^th session in 2017? Will legislators agree to again consider the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA)? I will be working towards that end. A positive step was taken when SB 499 giving slightly more time for minor party and Non-Partisan candidates running for partisan office to file their paperwork was signed by Governor Sandoval.

There is no sign that the trend of voters leaving the two major political parties will either end or subside. NEMRA will continue provide to tool for discussion.