A video captured over the weekend by a volunteer for Marsha Berkbigler’s GOP campaign for Washoe County commissioner has set off another political storm, revealing what appears to be an incident of campaign sign removal.
The woman in the video, Amy Powell, is the Deputy Director of Voter Protection and was seen removing Berkbigler’s campaign signs from a public area. Powell was reportedly an invitee at an event hosted by the Washoe County Democratic Party.
A former commissioner, Berkbigler is vying for the seat against current Democratic Chairwoman Alexis Hill.
The video, recorded by volunteer Cliff Nellis, shows Powell in a Mercedes van with California license plates. Nellis confronted Powell and recorded their interaction, which lasted 11 minutes until police arrived.
Powell contended that Nellis had improperly placed the signs on county property and had abandoned them. After reviewing the incident, police found no legal violation on Nellis’s part, and Powell returned the signs.
The police did not press charges.
Following the incident, Nellis visited the Washoe County Registrar’s office to inquire about Powell’s role in the local election process. Deputy Registrar Andy McDonald initially confirmed that Powell served on an election certification board. Communications Manager Bethany Drysdale later stated that Powell no longer is the Deputy Director of Voter Protection.
The accuracy certification board in Washoe County, tasked with overseeing the functionality of voting machines before elections, comprises three individuals per Nevada state law (NRS 293B.140). The board must be politically balanced, with no more than two members from the same political party.
Drysdale says a Washoe County employee has replaced Powell.
The incident has drawn criticism from Washoe County Commissioner Mike Clark, who questioned Powell’s trustworthiness.
“If Ms. Powell had anything to do with counting votes, verifying signatures, or any election process — and has shown this behavior — I question her integrity,” Clark said.
He further suggested that Powell’s actions, in his view, warranted further investigation.
“Just because she returned the signs doesn’t absolve her from accountability,” he said. “A bank robber isn’t absolved if he returns the money when caught.”
Clark also questions Powell’s use of a van with California plates.
“If she was acting in an official capacity, why was she using an out-of-state vehicle?” he added.
Clark stated that he expects the Washoe County Democratic Party to condemn Powell’s actions and is calling on Chair Alexis Hill to disavow her publicly.
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