The Old Blog in the Desert

My Cousin Elmos says, “If Don Lemon were white, he would be Keith Olbermann.”

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office remains under scrutiny over the accelerated rollout of the Voter Registration and Elections Management Solution (VREMS), with sources expressing apprehensions regarding its potential impact on election integrity.

According to insiders, there are widespread concerns within the Secretary of State’s office that the hasty implementation of the top-down election system may jeopardize the primary and presidential elections. Some fear that the system may fail altogether, with doubts cast on its efficacy and the level of trust it commands among counties.

The $30 million allocated during the last legislative session for VREMS, as mandated by Assembly Bill 422 passed in the 2021 legislature, was to create a centralized statewide voter registration database. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar has emphasized that it will enhance consistency across all 17 counties and improve transparency in voter data.

However, county registrars and clerks are raising objections to the timeline for implementation, labeling it as “asinine” and “ridiculous.” Despite many county Registrars of Voters (ROVs) expressing interest in the new system, election officials in other states, like Wisconsin, caution that similar systems typically require two to three years for implementation, not the eight months allotted by Aguilar.

Furthermore, concerns have been exacerbated by the validation process for VREMS, with only one mock election scheduled to test the new system. The inclusion of mail-in ballots in the validation process was only amended recently after widespread pushback from counties.

With the mock elections on Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12, and a final implementation date set for Monday, April 1, counties have less than six weeks to prepare for early voting in the June primary. The tight timeline has raised alarms among election officials, highlighting a lack of experience among project managers and the additional burden placed on counties already engaged in various community activities.

The concerns follow a recent “glitch” in the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP), which triggered a public backlash. Despite an apology from Aguilar and assurances of election integrity, questions linger regarding the transparency and reliability of the entire election process.

To shed light on these matters, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Nevada GOP have filed public records requests seeking related information, including internal and external communications of the Secretary of State office.

LaCinda Elgan, Esmeralda County Clerk, is embroiled in controversy as critics push for her recall, citing disagreements over election procedures.

During a recent Esmeralda County Board of Commissioners meeting, Mary Jane Zakas, representing the Esmeralda County Republican Central Committee, presented a letter seeking Elgan’s recall. The move comes as the county faces budgetary discussions, potentially impacting the elections department.

The crux of the recall effort revolves around Elgan’s resistance to hand-count ballots, a practice advocated by some following doubts regarding election outcomes. Elgan’s stance on hand counting and the broader skepticism surrounding election procedures exposes the charged political climate in Nevada.

Despite assertions by Elgan’s critics, her supporters argue that her resistance to hand counting reflects adherence to state guidelines and a commitment to transparency. However, concerns persist regarding the potential influence of external pressures on election administration.

Kerry Durmick, Nevada state director of the Democrat-aligned All Voting is Local, condemned what she perceives as retaliatory actions against Elgan, stressing the need to safeguard election administrators amid heightened scrutiny.

The Nevada State Legislature has convened for its Interim Session, looking at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Marlette Lake Water System.

The newly established Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System comprises six members from both the Assembly and the Senate, with the committee chaired by Senator Skip Daly, with Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod as the Vice Chair. Other members include Senator Melanie Scheible, Senator Robin L. Titus, Assemblyman Rich DeLong, and Assemblywoman Angie Taylor.

The committee’s inaugural meeting on Tuesday, January 23, marked the first in a series of six sessions reviewing the budget, programs, activities, responsiveness, and accountability of TRPA and the Marlette Lake Water System. The first meeting in Carson City attracted considerable public interest, with attendees overflowing the committee room, necessitating an additional room to accommodate the enthusiastic crowd.

During the 30-minute public comment section, residents from the Tahoe area of Douglas County and Incline Village expressed their views on TRPA oversight, ranging from general support to calls for a reevaluation of TRPA’s focus. Despite being a recurrent oversight committee since 1985, the coming meetings will address the role, authority, and activities of TRPA concerning Lake Tahoe and the Marlette Lake Water System.

Following discussions on committee logistics, representatives made presentations on the organization’s history before addressing the TRPA’s organizational size and dual environmental and economic focus.

Representatives from the Division of State Lands and the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also presented on the Environmental Improvement Program and related Nevada programs, explaining their role in overseeing the Lake Tahoe Basin and its various program areas, including recreation enhancement, forest health and restoration, water quality, and erosion.

A presentation on the Marlette Lake Water System followed, outlining its historical significance, purpose, and recent updates. The system, a Historic Landmark, provides water to Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Carson City, and Storey County and will see improvements that include upgrades to transmission lines and dam rehabilitation projects.

The meeting concluded with representatives from local counties and Carson City sharing their priorities and utilization of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe. The next hearing is scheduled for March 8, promising further insights into the oversight of these vital regional entities.

As the political spotlight shifts to Nevada with the upcoming Republican presidential contest, it’s essential to understand the intricacies of the state’s electorate, which boasts a blend of demographics and diversity. Unlike other states, Nevada will host a primary and a caucus, presenting a distinctive electoral landscape.

Delving into the demographics of the Silver State, data collected by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) offers some insights. The median age of adults in Nevada is 51, slightly higher than the national median of 48. Moreover, the educational attainment in Nevada reflects a diverse spectrum, with around one-third of Nevadans having a high school diploma or less and only 15 percent holding a college degree.

Racially, Nevada mirrors the nation’s shifting demographics, with slightly more than half identifying as white and significant populations of Hispanic, Black, and Asian American or Pacific Islander communities. Additionally, the state boasts a notable proportion of individuals identifying as independent at38 percent), with Democrats and Republicans making up 33 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Religious diversity adds another layer to Nevada’s electoral tapestry. The PRRI Census of American Religion underscores the state’s religious landscape, with notable concentrations of various religious groups across its counties. From white Christians to Hispanic Catholics and Latter-day Saints, Nevada presents a mosaic of religious affiliations.

For instance, while white Christians make up around one-third of Nevadans, certain counties exhibit higher concentrations, such as Lander County, where 62 percent identify as such. Similarly, white evangelical Protestants, white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants, and white Catholics have notable presences across different counties. Moreover, Nevada’s religious diversity index score surpasses the national average, with Clark County leading as the most religiously diverse.

Beyond religious lines, the state also harbors a sizable population of religiously unaffiliated individuals, comprising 27 percent of the national population. Counties like Pershing, Washoe, and Humboldt stand out for their higher concentrations of religiously unaffiliated residents.

Storey County emerges as a microcosm of Nevada’s political diversity. With a religious diversity index score of 0.817, Storey boasts a rich tapestry of religious affiliations, including notable concentrations of white Christians. Approximately 59 percent of Storey County residents identify as white Christians, underscoring the influence of religious demographics in shaping political discourse. Moreover, Storey County’s 38 percent proportion of independent voters highlights a trend across Nevada, where nonpartisan affiliations play a significant role in electoral outcomes. As the county prepares to participate in the primary and caucus, observers keenly anticipate the impact of Storey’s unique blend of demographics on the electoral stage.

Lyon County embodies Nevada’s shifting demographics and political dynamics. With a religious diversity index score of 0.799, the county reflects the state’s many religious affiliations, from white Christians to Hispanic Catholics. Notably, Lyon County’s 33 percent conservative identification aligns with broader trends across Nevada, where many residents identify with conservative ideologies, emerging as a bellwether.

Douglas County holds one of Nevada’s most diverse electorates. With a religious diversity index score of 0.806, Douglas boasts a notable concentration of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants and white Christians. Furthermore, the county has a 34 percent liberal identification.

With the capital of Nevada in its midst, Carson City County has a pivotal role in shaping the state’s political trajectory. With a religious diversity index score of 0.83, Carson City exemplifies Nevada’s diverse religious landscape, from white Christians to Hispanic Catholics. Moreover, the county’s 33 percent proportion of Democratic identification reflects the state’s broader partisan trends.

America First Legal (AFL) has obtained documents through litigation against the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), shedding light on actions taken by the agency surrounding the 2020 election.

The documents show that CISA flagged text messages expressing support for President Donald J. Trump for potential censorship. Even after the election, CISA appeared more focused on reinforcing Director Krebs’s narrative of the election’s security rather than objectively investigating its integrity.

Brian Scully, a DHS Countering Foreign Interference Task Force member at CISA, sent an email containing screenshots of fundraising texts for President Trump and the #StopTheSteal effort on Monday, November 9, 2020. Scully noted in his email that this was a fundraising message related to the “stop the steal” movement.

A colleague at CISA responded, indicating an interest in handling the matter or at least being informed about it. The exchange suggests that CISA was actively considering taking action to censor conservative, pro-Trump speech.

Furthermore, post-election, CISA continued to collect reports of “misinformation and disinformation” through official channels and third-party fact-checkers. Despite acknowledging the increased risks associated with the widespread adoption of mail-in voting during the 2020 election, CISA officials seemingly dismissed all suspicions of fraud as part of a “False Narrative” requiring “counter-messaging.”

Strong Public Schools Nevada has taken legal action against Senate Bill 1 (SB1), contesting its constitutionality.

SB1, which allocates $380 million in taxpayer funding for a new stadium for the Athletics baseball team as they relocate to Las Vegas, has sparked significant controversy. The plaintiffs argue that the bill violates five provisions of the Nevada Constitution.

“During the last Legislative Session, with important education issues outstanding, the Governor and Legislature shifted their focus to the needs of John Fisher and his lobbyists,” the group said in a press release. “For eight days, Nevada politicians singularly focused on financing a ‘world-class’ stadium for a California billionaire while ignoring Nevada’s second-class education system.”

According to the education group, the focus should be investing in the education system rather than subsidizing professional sports team infrastructure.

“Educators throughout Nevada are frustrated by the lack of focus by politicians on real priorities, like public education,” President of NEA of Southern Nevada Vicki Kreidel said. “There’s been more planning of a ‘world-class’ stadium than there has been implementing a funding plan to ensure a ‘world-class’ education for our kids. These misguided priorities are why Nevada continually ranks at the bottom of all the good lists.”

The state educational system faces challenges, ranking 48th in per-pupil funding and the largest class sizes and highest educator vacancies nationwide. Critics argue that state leaders have prioritized the needs of private interests over the urgent demands of its education system.

Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill and Washoe County Manager Eric Brown are under fire for opposing paper ballots and hand counting in elections, prompting some to question their motives and demand transparency.

Despite the glaring inefficiencies of the current system, which takes a whopping six weeks for machines to count 100,000 ballots, Hill and Brown have persisted in supporting costly machines to the tune of at least $12.6 million. This, while a manual count could be completed on the same night, using local registered voters as volunteers, at little to no cost to the county.

The recent success of the Nevada GOP caucus conducted across Washoe County in two-and-a-half hours contrasts the prolonged ballot counting process by the county’s Registrar of Voters Office. It begs the question — why are Hill and Brown so vehemently opposed to adopting similar methods for general elections?

The public witnessed glitches in Nevada’s recent elections, with politicians quickly dismissing legitimate concerns as conspiracy theories. But why the resistance to paper ballots and hand counting, which would undoubtedly enhance transparency and trust in the electoral process?

Recent revelations suggest that Hill and Brown misled commissioners, the media, and the public regarding Secretary of State letters about Election Integrity Resolutions. While the initial resolutions about cleaning up election procedures met some support, newer resolutions advocating for a parallel hand count have faced staunch opposition from Hill and Brown, who seemingly used outdated letters to justify their actions.

Internal documents, including a Draft Staff Report, reveal a discrepancy between staff recommendations, which favor paper ballots and hand counting, and Hill’s public statements opposing such measures. It raises further questions about Hill and Brown’s true motives and underscores the need for accountability.

It is time for a full investigation into Hill and Brown’s conduct by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney of Washoe County and the immediate addition of election integrity resolutions to the County Commissioners’ agenda.

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), President Brian Sandoval has drawn criticism for his handling of comments made by Regent Patrick Boylan regarding transgender women athletes.

It began during a Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents meeting on Friday, March 1, when Boylan commented about “men masquerading as women” in collegiate sports at UNLV. His remarks triggered a nationwide outcry, with calls for his resignation. 

Despite mounting pressure, Boylan has adamantly refused to step down, asserting that his comments were not inappropriate.

Meanwhile, in an internal memo addressed to faculty, students, and staff, Sandoval condemned the comments as “extremely insensitive, hurtful, and abhorrent.” He emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming and safe environment for transgender and gender-diverse individuals on campus, affirming their right to visibility and inclusion. 

Critics argue that Sandoval’s response failed to address the broader issues of biological men being allowed to play in women’s sports.

Furthermore, his call for “more education” on Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access (DEIA) initiatives is overshadowed by a lawsuit filed by 16 female college athletes against the NCAA over the participation of transgender competitors in women’s sports.

The central figure in the lawsuit is Lia Thomas, a biological male athlete whose victory in the 2022 NCAA Swimming Championships has ignited the debate over fairness and inclusion in sports. The plaintiffs are demanding that the NCAA revise its rules to disqualify biological males from competing against female athletes and strip trans athletes of any awards won in those competitions.

Riley Gaines, one of the athletes involved in the lawsuit, stated, “I’m suing the NCAA along with 15 other collegiate athletes who have lost out on titles, records, and roster spots to men posing as women.” 

The state made history in 2019 by becoming the first in the nation to boast a female-majority state legislature, a milestone that underscored its commitment to progressive values. Subsequent initiatives, such as the ceremonial passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) measure in 2022, further solidified Nevada’s reputation as a trailblazer in the fight for gender equity.

However, as the spotlight turns to UNR and its handling of transgender rights, the university faces growing scrutiny. The Nevada Globe has made an open records request for the DEIA budget at UNR after the agency learned of the required DEIA training for faculty who opposed the training.

Dog Valley Road, west and south of Verdi, generally makes the news every couple of years during the winter when someone trying to avoid road closures over Donner Summit gets stuck in the snow and requires rescue. It is also one of my favorite places when the Truckee River starts receiving higher elevation runoff.

There is a single-lane treliss bridge on the aptly named Bridge Street heading to Dog Valley Road. Two afternoons ago, I pulled off the road to walk to the bridge and watch the water rush by.

The bridge is a primitive steel girder affair, built in the middle of the 20th century, a classic from a bygone era of Americana. Admittedly, it takes me back to my childhood and the number of old steel-beamed and riveted bridges I grew up around.

As I stood there enjoying the view and the sound of the rushing river, another noise came to my ear. At first, I thought it was a house cat wildly meowing, perhaps trapped on a rock along the bank.

Wanting to help, I climbed down the embankment toward the direction from where I believed the animal was crying. I walked about 100 yards in both directions before I realized the cat had stopped meowing.

Standing still and listening, I also realized that I could no longer hear the birds that had been being noisy a few minutes ago. Gone were the Ravens and Crows, as were the smaller birds, like the Chickedee’s and the Quail.

Then I heard the cat meow. But it was somehow different, sounding like words.

Again, I stood still to listen. Once more, it came, but this time, instead of a meow, it was a woman saying, “Help me.”

“I can hear you, but I don’t see you,” I called back over the roar of the water. “Where are you?”

No response. So I shouted, “Hello?”

Still, the only sound I could hear was the river. I returned to the trail I used to get near the water.

“Help me,” she called.

“Where are you?”

Nothing. I climbed up the bank to the dirt path that led back to the bridge.

“Help me,” came the voice, this time distorted and angry.

Instead of shouting back, I ran to my truck and left the area. After having some time to think it over, I am sure somebody had a pretty good chuckle watching me hightail it back to Interstate 80.