By Matthew Seeman, KSNV, June 24 2024
A political action group says it collected enough signatures to put a question about requiring voter identification in Nevada on the ballot this year.
Repair the Vote PAC said Monday they’ve submitted more than 179,000 signatures in support of their ballot initiative, which would amend the Nevada constitution to require photo ID at the polls.
“We are thrilled to have reached this crucial stage in our campaign,” PAC chairman David Gibbs said in a statement. “The overwhelming support from citizens across the Silver State demonstrates a clear demand for measures that protect the sanctity of our vote.”
The Nevada Supreme Court allowed the initiative petition to move forward in May, but organizers still needed to collect at least 102,362 valid signatures from registered Nevada voters by this Wednesday’s deadline. At least 25,591 signatures must come from each of the state’s four congressional districts as well.
State and county elections officials will now review the signatures to verify their validity. If there are enough signatures, the initiative will qualify and appear on the November ballot.
Because the initiative amends the state constitution, if voters approve it this fall, it will return to the ballot again in 2026 for a second vote to determine if it takes effect.
Nevada currently does not require active registered voters to show photo identification at the polls. Repair the Vote’s petition would mandate a valid form of government-issued photo ID at a polling place, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Anyone who votes by mail would also have to provide a voter registration number, the last four digits of their Nevada driver’s license or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
Supporters of voter ID say these measures will prevent impersonation and fraud at the polls. Detractors argue such a measure could disenfranchise people who cannot easily obtain a photo ID, and that cases of voter impersonation are exceedingly rare.
The Nevada Secretary of State’s office has referred 14 cases of potential election fraud for prosecution since 2020, according to a report released in April.