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In a high-stakes transition to a new centralized voter registration system in Nevada, local and state officials are defending the system’s reliability as the 2024 presidential election approaches, while a county election official claims her warnings about data issues have led to her administrative leave.

Cari-Ann Burgess, the former interim Washoe County registrar, contends she is getting punished for her transparency with reporters about potential data transfer flaws, particularly regarding preserving accurate voter information. She also signaled her intent to file a whistleblower complaint, requesting federal oversight to prevent future election issues.

The controversy centers on Nevada’s new Voter Registration and Election Management Solution, implemented in 16 of the state’s 17 counties. The state legislature mandated the system update to modernize voter registration and streamline management for county clerks.

Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar emphasized the urgency of the new system, highlighting its role in enhancing security and efficiency in the voting process, yet the hurried implementation has faced pushback.

Burgess, placed on leave in October due to alleged insubordination and job performance issues, said she believes the system’s rushed deployment has left unresolved data issues that could impact voter assignments and status accuracy. According to Burgess, Washoe County, which includes Reno and is the largest county using the new system, lacks the staffing to verify the accurate transfer of all 384,000 voter records.

Nevada’s state officials, including Aguilar, argue that initial glitches—such as misassigned precincts and mislabeled inactive voters—have been resolved. Gabriel Di Chiara, chief deputy secretary of state, claims that early voting starting on Saturday, October 19, has seen only isolated incidents.

State documents indicate that Nevada has invested $30 million in the system’s development, and county clerks conducted four mock elections this year to troubleshoot issues before rollout. However, critics like Burgess remain unconvinced.

“The lesser of the two risks was getting everyone on the new system and providing them support,” Di Chiara said, noting that Washoe County’s previous voter management vendor had ceased support, creating risks in retaining the old system.

The transition’s timing has drawn scrutiny, as Nevada’s swing-state status means any voter database errors could raise election integrity concerns. Election experts stated that Nevada had invested considerable time and resources into the rollout, yet advised that successful implementation relies heavily on adequate local office staffing and funding.

Burgess describes her role as a transparent advocate for voters, claiming she rigorously investigated complaints from voters across the political spectrum. Her actions also garnered attention from the Republican National Committee, which has requested documentation on the state’s mock elections, citing concerns over transparency and functionality.

According to a letter from Washoe County, her administrative leave stemmed from alleged insubordination, failure to meet a federal deadline for updating inactive voter rolls, and reportedly excessive overtime use. In her defense, Burgess says she only intended to correct errors and offered to return to her former role as deputy registrar when faced with challenges. Additionally, she asserts her support for churches seeking to facilitate ballot drop-offs complies with Nevada’s rules on third-party ballot collection.

As the general election approaches, Washoe County spokespersons assert that all outstanding data transfer issues are resolved, while Burgess contends that many problems remain underreported.

Washoe County continues to face scrutiny and leadership problems as County Manager Eric Brown begins a planned month-long medical leave, with Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro temporarily stepping in.

The absence of Brown follows the forced medical leave of Interim Registrar of Voters Cari Ann Burgess, who is filing a lawsuit against the county this week, adding to ongoing challenges for election oversight.

County spokesperson Bethany Drysdale confirmed Brown’s medical leave was for a pre-arranged procedure, noting, “Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro is acting manager while he is out.”

Drysdale also raised eyebrows by suggesting that “a male commissioner” might provide additional insight, sparking confusion, as the media received no “heads-up.”

Commissioner Mike Clark, the only male commissioner, responded by disputing knowledge or involvement.

“Since I am the only male commissioner, how dare she accuse me of anything without absolute personal knowledge,” Clark said. “She is speculating.”

With the County Manager and Interim Registrar of Voters out, Washoe County’s preparation for the election is under particular focus because it could play a pivotal role in the presidential and Senate races.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced the activation of the National Guard personnel to support public safety on Election Day.

The decision will see 60 members of the National Guard stationed in Carson City and Las Vegas on standby to assist state and local resources as necessary on Tuesday, November 5.

“As a first responder, I know first-hand the importance of being prepared, and this decision reflects my commitment to safety and preparedness on Election Day,” Lombardo said. “As always, I am deeply grateful to the men and women of our National Guard, and I appreciate their service to our state and country.”

National Guard members will remain on standby at designated facilities and assist law enforcement agencies if additional support is required. Their duties may include traffic management, building security, and ensuring clear lines of communication throughout the state.

Secretary of State Francisco V. Aguilar expressed his support for the activation.

“I share Governor Lombardo’s commitment to safety, preparedness, and transparency,” Aguilar said. “This proactive decision helps ensure that we’ve made the most of our available resources across Nevada. Our election officials and law enforcement leaders have been preparing for the November 5 election for years. This frees up their resources on Election Day so they can focus on delivering a safe and secure election.”

I wonder what Joe knows but ain’t saying.

The digital clock beside my bed read 4 a.m. I got up to shower when my wife told me it was only 2 a.m. I returned to bed. Two hours later, I awoke again and climbed from between the blankets.

It is a time when the veil between the world of waking and the world of dreams seemed thin–an hour of dislocation, where sleep clung to the edges of the consciousness like an ill-fitting coat. I could hear the wind, low and murmuring like a thing alive. Yet, there was nothing particularly unusual about the hour, where strange and inexplicable happenings sometimes disturbed the town and, in the end, were no more stranger than the winds that swept through the narrow streets at night.

Still, I lay in bed for a moment longer, staring at the dim shadows of my room, unsure if I was truly awake. The sensation passed quickly enough, and I swung my feet over the edge of my bed, feeling the cold floorboards press against the soles of my feet. My limbs were stiff, as though I had been asleep far longer than I should have been, but the feeling of disorientation was nothing new.

I padded across the room and to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, my mind still dulled by sleep’s lingering influence. The clock on the kitchen wall, a weathered, antique piece I had inherited from my late father, ticked steadily in the background. I reached for the sponge I had used the night before to clean the dishes. It lay on the sink edge, still damp but not yellow as it had been. No, now it was blue, an unnatural, unsettling shade of blue, a color I could not place. I stared at it for a long moment, trying to make sense of the shift, but my mind only floundered in the fog of confusion.

I had been sure the sponge had been yellow the night before–so sure that I had noticed how it glowed under the dim kitchen light as I had used it. But now it was pale, sickly blue, as though something had taken it, twisted it inside-out, and returned it to the sink under a different guise. I picked it up gingerly, turning it over in my hands. It felt the same, yet–not the same. The fibers were slightly stiffer, as though they had dried under unnatural conditions.

A wave of dizziness struck me, and I put the sponge down quickly. Something was wrong. I glanced at the clock again. It still read 4 a.m. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had slipped, had shifted. I couldn’t put it into words, but the certainty gnawed at me like an ache in my chest.

I walked to the front door, hoping fresh air would clear my mind. But as I opened it, I was greeted by a scene that, in its banality, was somehow more disturbing than any of the eldritch horrors that I had feared might lurk in the recesses of my thoughts.

They covered the street.

Mice. Dozens, if not hundreds, scurrying in every direction. Their small, fur-covered bodies twisted and convulsed, darting between the cracks in the boardwalk, squeezing under doorways, and even climbing the walls of nearby houses. The long-familiar frogs croaking was replaced by the sharp, skittering sound of tiny claws on stone.

I had lived through the plague of frogs–a bizarre infestation that had been almost too biblical to believe–but this was something worse. The mice were not mere pests. They were wrong. They moved with an intelligence, a feverish urgency, that sent a shiver up my spine. And their eyes–oh, God, their eyes–glowed faintly in the half-light, a sickly greenish hue that seemed to reflect something deeper, something ancient, in the void of the universe.

I stumbled back into the house, slamming the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest. I could still hear them outside, their frantic scurrying growing louder, more intense. The wind, which had seemed to murmur before, now howled as though it were trying to speak to me, urging me to listen, to understand. But I couldn’t. I could not make sense of any of it.

I felt unmoored, adrift in a sea of half-remembered dreams and altered perceptions. The sponge, the mice, the clock pointed to something shifting beneath the surface of my reality, something I could neither comprehend nor escape.

Had I, too, shifted? Was this still my town? Was this still my life?

I turned back toward the kitchen, where the blue sponge lay on the sink. It was no longer the same.

The fabric of my existence felt altered, twisted like the sponge in my hand, changing in ways I could not fully grasp. What had happened to me? To all of us? Was this a waking dream, or had I truly crossed into a world where the laws of nature no longer apply?

Outside, the wind screamed again, and in that howl, I thought I heard something worse than the scraping of mice claws.

It was a whisper.

A voice from beyond.

And it spoke my name.

Nevada is at the center of competitive races that could determine control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, and significant statewide policies. It is also one of ten states where voters will weigh in on a high-profile ballot measure related to abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

In Nevada’s presidential and Senate races, the stakes are high. While Nevada has only six electoral votes, it holds a vital position as a battleground state, and its bellwether status makes it a coveted win for both parties. The state has a track record for picking the winner in 27 of the last 30 presidential elections.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump have made multiple campaign stops here, and their campaigns regard Nevada as crucial for victory. In the Senate race, Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen is defending her seat against Republican Sam Brown, a retired Army captain who previously ran for Nevada’s other Senate seat. With the Senate narrowly divided, this race could be pivotal for either party’s control.

Nevada voters face three significant ballot questions with implications beyond the state.

The first ballot measure seeks to enshrine the right to abortion in the Nevada constitution, a move prompted by Dobbs v. Jackson, which returned abortion laws to the states. The measure may draw in younger and independent voters, making the race all the more critical.

Another ballot question proposes a requirement for photo identification to vote. The measure is framed by advocates as necessary for election security but criticized by opponents who argue it could limit access for some voters.

The third measure would implement ranked-choice voting with a top-five primary system. Supporters believe ranked-choice voting could encourage less extreme candidates by expanding voter choice, potentially reducing polarization in the state’s elections.

Demographically, Nevada is ethnically and economically diverse, with large Latino, union, working-class, and rural populations. Democrats have traditionally relied on winning urban Clark County, home to Las Vegas, and Washoe County, home to Reno, while Republicans have maintained strongholds in rural counties. Republicans have recently made inroads among independent and Latino voters by tapping into concerns about inflation, education, and public safety.

Campaign dynamics have intensified, with both parties investing heavily in Nevada. Harris’s campaign has focused on healthcare, economic support, climate change, and reproductive rights, aiming to galvanize Democratic base voters in the urban centers. Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, has centered on economic concerns, conservative values, and issues of inflation and crime, emphasizing outreach in rural areas and among swing voters.

The Senate race, too, reflects the intensity of this contest. Jacky Rosen’s re-election bid against decorated Army veteran Sam Brown is considered a battle for Senate control. Brown’s campaign emphasizes national security and fiscal conservatism, while Rosen appeals to the Democratic base, focusing on healthcare, reproductive rights, and economic protections for working families.

Nevada conducts most of its voting by mail—a system made permanent in 2021 with a law that mandates ballots be sent automatically to active registered voters. While mail-in voting accounts for a substantial portion, with about 80 percent of voters casting ballots by mail or early in the 2022 midterms, many still prefer to vote in person. Nevada law allows the counting of ballots if postmarked by Election Day and if they arrive within four days after, delaying the outcome if races are close, a trend relevant in recent Democratic-leaning mail ballot counts.

With its long history as a bellwether state, Nevada’s election results indicate national trends. Over the last four presidential elections, Democrats have won in Nevada, and Harris’s campaign is pushing to extend that streak. However, with Republicans increasing their appeal in parts of the state, particularly among independents and rural voters, Nevada’s margins could indicate broader political trends.

Down-ballot races will also shape Nevada’s future, as voters will elect candidates for U.S. House seats, state Senate and Assembly positions, the state Supreme Court, and local county commissions. These down-ballot decisions could significantly affect local governance and state policies on education, public safety, and economic issues.

Nevada has no automatic recount law, but candidates may request a recount within three days of the canvass, regardless of the vote margin. If recounts occur, especially in the event of close races, results could be subject to additional delays. Given the state’s record of razor-thin margins and prolonged counting, recounts remain possible as mail-in votes get counted.

Nevada is at the center of competitive races that could determine control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, and significant statewide policies. It is also one of ten states where voters will weigh in on a high-profile ballot measure related to abortion in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

In Nevada’s presidential and Senate races, the stakes are high. While Nevada has only six electoral votes, it holds a vital position as a battleground state, and its bellwether status makes it a coveted win for both parties. The state has a track record for picking the winner in 27 of the last 30 presidential elections.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump have made multiple campaign stops here, and their campaigns regard Nevada as crucial for victory. In the Senate race, Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen is defending her seat against Republican Sam Brown, a retired Army captain who previously ran for Nevada’s other Senate seat. With the Senate narrowly divided, this race could be pivotal for either party’s control.

Nevada voters face three significant ballot questions with implications beyond the state.

The first ballot measure seeks to enshrine the right to abortion in the Nevada constitution, a move prompted by Dobbs v. Jackson, which returned abortion laws to the states. The measure may draw in younger and independent voters, making the race all the more critical.

Another ballot question proposes a requirement for photo identification to vote. The measure is framed by advocates as necessary for election security but criticized by opponents who argue it could limit access for some voters.

The third measure would implement ranked-choice voting with a top-five primary system. Supporters believe ranked-choice voting could encourage less extreme candidates by expanding voter choice, potentially reducing polarization in the state’s elections.

Demographically, Nevada is ethnically and economically diverse, with large Latino, union, working-class, and rural populations. Democrats have traditionally relied on winning urban Clark County, home to Las Vegas, and Washoe County, home to Reno, while Republicans have maintained strongholds in rural counties. Republicans have recently made inroads among independent and Latino voters by tapping into concerns about inflation, education, and public safety.

Campaign dynamics have intensified, with both parties investing heavily in Nevada. Harris’s campaign has focused on healthcare, economic support, climate change, and reproductive rights, aiming to galvanize Democratic base voters in the urban centers. Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, has centered on economic concerns, conservative values, and issues of inflation and crime, emphasizing outreach in rural areas and among swing voters.

The Senate race, too, reflects the intensity of this contest. Jacky Rosen’s re-election bid against decorated Army veteran Sam Brown is considered a battle for Senate control. Brown’s campaign emphasizes national security and fiscal conservatism, while Rosen appeals to the Democratic base, focusing on healthcare, reproductive rights, and economic protections for working families.

Nevada conducts most of its voting by mail—a system made permanent in 2021 with a law that mandates ballots be sent automatically to active registered voters. While mail-in voting accounts for a substantial portion, with about 80 percent of voters casting ballots by mail or early in the 2022 midterms, many still prefer to vote in person. Nevada law allows the counting of ballots if postmarked by Election Day and if they arrive within four days after, delaying the outcome if races are close, a trend relevant in recent Democratic-leaning mail ballot counts.

With its long history as a bellwether state, Nevada’s election results indicate national trends. Over the last four presidential elections, Democrats have won in Nevada, and Harris’s campaign is pushing to extend that streak. However, with Republicans increasing their appeal in parts of the state, particularly among independents and rural voters, Nevada’s margins could indicate broader political trends.

Down-ballot races will also shape Nevada’s future, as voters will elect candidates for U.S. House seats, state Senate and Assembly positions, the state Supreme Court, and local county commissions. These down-ballot decisions could significantly affect local governance and state policies on education, public safety, and economic issues.

Nevada has no automatic recount law, but candidates may request a recount within three days of the canvass, regardless of the vote margin. If recounts occur, especially in the event of close races, results could be subject to additional delays. Given the state’s record of razor-thin margins and prolonged counting, recounts remain possible as mail-in votes get counted.

In a contentious lead-up to the November presidential election, Washoe County’s interim registrar of voters, Cari-Ann Burgess, claims she was forced out of her role by county management just weeks before the high-stakes contest.

Burgess, who led election operations in northern Nevada’s politically significant Washoe County, disputes the official narrative that she requested medical leave due to stress, stating she was pressured to submit the leave request in writing despite her desire to continue.

Her departure has further unsettled the county, impacted by ongoing election irregularities.

Since 2020, Washoe County has seen high turnover in election staff, with Burgess being the fifth person to hold the registrar role within four years. At a recent county commission meeting, officials reiterated the stance that Burgess voluntarily sought leave, a claim Burgess disputes. She has since retained legal counsel to explore her options.

Burgess described her sudden removal as unexpected, given recent praise for her performance. She believes the pressure to leave stemmed from her resistance to personnel changes within her department, including a proposal to reassign some of her election staff while maintaining their presence within the office. She said these changes would limit her ability to oversee their roles, an idea she refused to accept.

Washoe County’s election climate has remained tense, with ongoing demands from a vocal public to hand-count votes and install additional measures against voter fraud. During primary elections earlier this year, the county’s commission initially voted not to certify results, later reversing the decision but raising concerns among election office staff.

On Halloween night, October 31, Washoe County Manager Eric Brown was spotted with his wife at David’s Grill in Sparks, despite recently taking an early medical leave citing a pneumonia diagnosis. Brown, who oversees county operations, including election oversight, reportedly left work on October 28 for a month-long medical leave planned for a later date in November.

An eyewitness noticed Brown’s personalized sports car outside the Red Hawk Golf and Resort, where the couple were at the bar, and shared photos to verify his presence. While it remains unclear if Brown was drinking alcohol, the nature of his illness has led to speculation.

Medical advice for pneumonia often involves antibiotics and extended rest, usually incompatible with outings or drinking.

In response to questions, County Spokesperson Bethany Drysdale explained that Brown’s leave was to ensure his full recovery ahead of the procedure.

“We tell our employees it’s okay to get sick, take time for family, and use their leave, and I’m going to do exactly that,” Brown said in a statement.

He emphasized the county’s commitment to cross-training employees to support continuity in his absence.

Some employees expressed frustration over the lack of advance notice about Brown’s leave. One employee emailed that, by learning of it from news outlets, they felt “a disappointing and disrespectful level of communication.”

Others have called for a review of Brown’s recent behavior, suggesting it does not align with his medical claims. On social media, the eyewitness urged Chairwoman Alexis Hill to launch an investigation, raising concerns over potential misuse of medical leave.

In anticipation of potential election-related actions, the Third Judicial Court in Lyon County has announced special extended hours to address issues related to the Tuesday, November 5 elections.

Effective Tuesday, October 29, the court order authorized filings and hearings to take place beyond standard business hours to prepare for any matters that may arise on or around Election Day. According to the court, the extension is for potential late filings or emergency hearings that need administration outside regular hours.

The court stated that the additional hours would ensure a timely response to any legal matters connected to the upcoming elections.

We lay flat against the ground, hearts steady but alert, a kind of calm that comes before a storm. Night had set in deep over the Congo, and the air felt like it was holding its breath.

Somewhere out there, beyond the low brush, the poachers were coming. Fifteen men, maybe more, armed and ready to butcher what they could for the ivory. The kind of job that didn’t take skill, just greed.

It was 1988, and none of us had seen a drone before, though something small and plastic hovered out there, watching. The others around me shifted in the dark, barely making a sound. We’d spent the day crawling into this position, high above the footpath, waiting for the moment they’d come.

“Quiet now,” whispered Martin beside me. His voice was rough, barely audible. “They’ll be here soon.”

I nodded, though I could hardly see him. To the left, Sam was adjusting his rifle, slow and careful. “Let’s hope it’s cleaner than last time,” Sam whispered. “One shot, in and out.”

“That was luck,” muttered Lewis. “Luck and a good wind.”

“Still counts,” Martin said, his breath tight. “We only need one shot tonight, too.”

The poachers were after elephants, maybe rhinos. They didn’t care for the land or the life on it. Just for money. That’s all this place was to them—a bank where the currency was blood.

We’d only been out here a week and already had a run-in with another gang. One shot and a bull saved. Tonight felt different. The air was thick, and the stars looked strange above us. Foreign. Everything about this continent felt raw, untamed.

Then we heard them—voices low, speaking in quick bursts. The poachers were close now, slipping through the brush like shadows. We were still, waiting. Just as the first man stepped into the open, the air changed.

A sound rumbled deep behind us like the earth had woken up. A lion huffed. The kind that rolls through your bones before you even know what’s happening.

“Christ,” I whispered, my hands tight around my rifle. “That’s close.”

“Hold,” Martin hissed. “Don’t move.”

The poachers froze–every one of them. They looked up toward us, squinting in the dark. The lion huffed again, and the ground beneath us trembled.

“They hear it too,” Lewis muttered. His voice was tight now, strained.

“Let them hear it,” I whispered back. “It’s buying us time.”

But time was not the problem. The lion was.

The poachers started backing away, disappearing into the thick brush, slipping out of the reserve as if the lion had spooked them more than any gunfire could. I could feel the tension in the air, the breath we all held as they moved farther off, back to where they came from.

“Stay still,” Martin whispered. “Let them go.”

We stayed silent, waiting. Minutes felt like hours. The night grew thicker around us, and still, the lion didn’t move. It was somewhere close, too close. I could feel its presence, the heat of its breath carried on the night air.

Then the voice came over the radio, low and controlled. “Move forward. Same trail. Left.”

“Roger that,” Martin replied, as none of us were eager to meet that lion head-on.

We crawled slowly, inch by inch, weapons drawn, moving down the hill toward the trail. I could feel the earth shift beneath me, each step deliberate. Every sound felt too loud in the dark. The lion’s presence hung behind us, but we didn’t see it and didn’t want to.

Three clicks away and at the base of the hill, the Land Cruiser waited. Safety was a drive away, but none of us would forget the feeling of that lion just behind us, somewhere, out there in the night.

For nearly a decade, Democrats have maintained a majority in the Nevada legislature, currently holding 28 of 42 seats in the Assembly and only one seat shy of a supermajority in the Senate.

With all 42 Assembly seats and half of the Senate up for re-election this year, Republicans are eyeing a chance to narrow this lead. Should Democrats gain a supermajority, they’d have the power to pass tax increases and override gubernatorial vetoes without Republican input.

Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed 75 bills in his first term, arguing they posed a “harmful and dangerous” impact. Several of these bills echoed California policies, from rent control and transparency on rental fees to legislation expanding Medicaid access to all Nevada residents regardless of immigration status and allocating $43 million for free school meals.

Lombardo fears these proposals could re-emerge and pass if Democrats win a supermajority. Meanwhile, Lombardo’s legislative priorities, like voter ID laws and school choice expansion, would face insurmountable obstacles if Democrats gain more control.

His initiatives were often stalled in the committee stages by the Democratic majority, which was criticized for alleged gerrymandering that favored their dominance. However, Republican voter turnout during early voting has been strong and seen as a challenge to Democrats’ supermajority.

As the race heats up, independent voters will play a decisive role.

GOP consultant Jeremy Hughes estimates a final Republican lead of 10,000-20,000 voters based on current trends and recent increases in GOP registrations. With nonpartisan voters representing a substantial share, their decisions could shape both legislative outcomes and the top of the ballot.

The Harris-Walz campaign, in particular, needs a three percent edge among these voters to secure a win, matching the margin by which Lombardo and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto won independents in 2022.