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Democrats seek to expand automatic voter registration in Nevada

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Democratic lawmakers in Nevada want more state agencies to be able to automatically register people to vote, the same as the Department of Motor Vehicles does.

Under a proposed Assembly bill, the state Department of Health and Human Services, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange and Medicaid offices could automatically register voters. People doing business with the agencies would also be able to opt out.

Agencies would not be allowed to transmit voter registration data to election officials without ensuring a person is eligible to vote under Nevada law.

“The overall objective of Assembly Bill 432 is to expand upon our proven and successful automatic voter registration system. By implementing this system in other state agencies, we can help eligible voters register to vote and maintain up-to-date name and address information,” said Assemblyman Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, who introduced the bill.

The governor would be able to designate additional agencies to automatically register voters if they routinely collect information such as proof of identity, citizenship status and date of birth. Agencies on Native American tribal land could also participate.

“Automatic voter registration increases access to the polls by registering eligible Nevadans to vote and improves the quality of our voter rolls,” said Emily Persaud-Zamora, the executive director of Silver State Voices. “By expanding the list of agencies, we are able to capture a larger constituency, such as lower-income and working-class communities that might not do this with the DMV.”

The bill’s opt-out provision, however, drew concerns from some officials, who said it would create extra work for election departments, which would have to mail people opt-out forms.

Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria said clerks and registrars would support “anything related to improving voting registration,” but “we are concerned about the ability to support these new programs.”

Mark Wlaschin, deputy secretary of state for elections, also questioned whether the secretary of state’s office could set up the system by the bill’s proposed January 1 implementation date.

“It may be an obstacle too great to overcome between now and the 1st of January to do so in a manner that supports exactly what 1.8 million Nevadans need and deserve—a safe and secure automatic voter registration system,” Wlaschin said.

The bill got a hearing April 6 in the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, but no vote was taken on the measure.

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