The Nevada Secretary of State has announced new guidance to release election results faster after polls close on Election Night.
“This year, the country will be looking to Nevada to determine the winner of the Presidential election. Voters deserve available results on election night; releasing results sooner will increase transparency, help us combat misinformation and alleviate pressure on election officials,” said Secretary Aguilar. “Elections are about people. They’re about the voters, the candidates and the election administrators – this change is a win for our entire state.”
The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office provided guidance to Nevada’s County Clerks and Registrars to improve tabulation timelines. The guidance will be applied to both the June Primary and November General Election.
Election Day Tabulation Timeline:
* 8am on Election Day: County Clerks and Registrars may begin tabulating Early Voting returns and mail ballot returns received before Election Day
* By 6pm on Election Day: County Clerks and Registrars provide their first election results file to the Secretary of State’s Office for verification and quality assurance
* Once County Clerks and Registrars confirm all polls are closed and the last voter has voted: The Secretary of State’s Office will release unofficial results.
In the absence of previous guidance, it is the state’s understanding that counties did not conduct any tabulation prior to the close of polls. NRS 293.3606 allows for the tabulation of ballots starting at 8am on Election Day, while clarifying that the returns must remain secret until after the close of polls.
"Per Nevada law, compromising the secrecy of the ballot by releasing results early is a crime, and the secrecy and security of the ballot remains a top priority for all election officials across Nevada."
Early Voting for the June Primary begins on Saturday, May 25th and runs through Friday, June 7th. Election Day is June 11th.
For more information regarding election dates, see the reference guide (HERE) and or visit NVSOS.gov.
(Nevada Secretary of State's Office contributed to this report.)
