Nevada Lawmakers to Consider Rural Election Departments, Filing Fees for Presidential Candidates

Several proposals during Nevada’s 2025 legislative session included allowing rural counties to create election departments and imposing a filing fee on presidential candidates. The legislative session starts on Monday, February 3.

One proposal would allow rural counties to establish dedicated election offices, currently only available to counties with populations exceeding 100,000, like Clark and Washoe. In rural counties, county clerks handle election duties.

Lawmakers are considering this move to alleviate the workload on rural election officials, many of whom cite growing responsibilities and increased pressure since the 2020 presidential election. Rural officials argue that balancing election oversight with other duties, like public administration and record-keeping, has become unsustainable.

The committee is also backing a bill allowing a voter’s cured signature to replace their signature on file, which could reduce the need for repeated ballot corrections. The measure also requires the secretary of state to notify individuals registered through automatic voter registration if they are missing information, such as a political party affiliation.

A controversial proposal would permit former felons, except those convicted of theft or fraud, to serve as field registrars. Proponents argue the measure aligns with efforts to reintegrate people into society after serving their sentences. However, critics raised concerns about potential risks, particularly for individuals convicted of violent or election-related crimes.

Another proposal would introduce a $1,000 filing fee for candidates wishing to participate in Nevada’s presidential preference primary. There is no filing fee for the non-binding primary, which officials fear could lead to an unmanageable number of candidates appearing on the ballot. The proposed fee aims to ensure only serious candidates file, reducing the cost and complexity of elections.

Two bills previously vetoed by Governor Joe Lombardo will see a reintroduction.

One will require voting materials in additional languages. Lombardo vetoed the bill in 2023, citing that Nevada’s current laws met federal language accessibility requirements. The second vetoed bill sought to make changes to interim legislative committees, which Lombardo opposed due to disagreement over the bill’s management of legislative processes.