The Nevada Secretary of State says three voter roll lawsuits have been withdrawn - ahead of next month's election.
Secretary Francisco Aguilar released this statement on the withdrawal lawsuits regarding challenges to Nevada’s voter rolls.
“In a victory for Nevada, several meritless challenges to our voter rolls – which could have affected eligible voters including members of our military and their families, who fight and sacrifice to protect our fundamental right to vote – are being dropped. No eligible voter should be subject to suspicion or confusion about their voter status. That’s especially true when the challenges do not meet the standards of either Nevada or federal law.
There are multiple systems in place to make sure that every eligible Nevada voter—and only eligible voters—can cast a ballot and have that ballot counted. Now, the voters caught up in these challenges will be able to continue to participate in our democracy without false claims hanging over their heads. I’m grateful to the Office of Attorney General and Aaron Ford for fighting alongside us on democracy’s front lines.
I want all Nevadans to rest assured that our elections remain accurate and secure, and that every eligible voter’s voice will be heard.”
In September, three separate lawsuits were filed against the Clark County and Washoe County Registrars of Voters, as well as the Carson City and Storey County Clerks.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Citizen Outreach Foundation, looked to challenge the voter registrations based solely on data from the National Change of Address database. The lawsuit tried to remove 11,000 registered voters from Washoe County voter rolls.
Attorney General Aaron Ford released the following comment after the announcement:
"While my office was fully ready to defeat these lawsuits in court, I am pleased that they are being voluntarily dismissed. These frivolous lawsuits are both a waste of time and an assault on Nevadans' democratic rights," said AG Ford. "State and federal law prevent vigilante voter roll maintenance this close to Election Day. I will continue to stand up for Nevada's safe and secure elections and to work closely with Secretary of State Aguilar to ensure the voices of Nevada voters are heard this election.”
ACLU of Nevada executive director Athar Haseebullah said:
“This case was an alarming attempt to disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters, but Nevadans’ voting rights are not up for grabs. This outcome protects voters who were directly targeted by this challenge, including ACLU of Nevada members. As was the case here, if any person or organization anywhere in Nevada should attempt to undermine this election or to engage in voter suppression efforts, it will prompt our direct intervention, and we will pursue all remedies available to us under law.”
ACLU of Nevada voting rights attorney Sadmira Ramic said:
“The improper challenges brought by the Petitioners based solely on unreliable data would have jeopardized participation of thousands of eligible voters in the upcoming election, including military members and their spouses. This outcome is a positive one for Nevada voters and is a reminder that we must remain vigilant. We’ve seen this type of effort to undermine our voting rights across the country, and we will continue to stand firm in the fight to ensure no voter is wrongfully purged from the rolls.”
(Nevada Secretary of State)
