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Procedures |
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Description: NRS 293.274 and 293.700 - 293.840 set out the rules for observation of voting by the public at polling places. Anyone may observe voting at a polling place, i.e., no credentials are required. An observer should ask for the polling place "Team Leader" when he/she arrives. The Team Leader will direct the observer to a designated location within the polling place. The observer must remain within this area at all times. Limited special provisions are made for the media.
Required Form: NAC 293.245 requires observers to sign a form at the polling place before beginning observation. The form is confirmation that the observer will: (a) Not talk to voters within the polling place; (b) Not use a mobile telephone within the polling place; (c) Not advocate for or against a candidate, political party or ballot question; (d) Not argue for or against or challenge any decisions of county or city election personnel; (e) Not interfere with the conduct of voting; and (f) May be removed from the polling place by the county or city clerk for violating any state laws or regulations. |
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What Public Observers May Not Do |
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Public may NOT: |
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Disrupt Voting or Election Workers: No one may disrupt the voting process or the work of polling place staff, e.g., observers must keep conversation with election workers to a minimum. |
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Converse with Voters: Conversation with voters in the voting area is not allowed. |
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Electioneer/Campaign: No one may electioneer/campaign inside the polling place, i.e., wearing or bringing any campaign item into the voting area is not allowed. |
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Use Electronic Communication Devices: Observers and voters must turn off two-way radios and cell phones inside the voting area. |
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Photograph, Videotape or Sound Record Voting: A member of the general public may not make a visual or audio reproduction of the conduct of voting at a polling place. Cameras, audio recorders, video cameras, etc., must be deposited with the Team Leader. Owners may retrieve their property when they leave the voting area. |
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What Public Observers May Do |
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Public observers MAY: |
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Sit or Stand in the Public Viewing Area: The Team Leader will designate the location and observers may view election activities from this area as long as they do not disrupt the election process. |
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Examine Completed Posting Logs: ANYONE may view the completed Posting Logs. |
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What Media Representatives with
Proper Credential May Do |
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Media representatives MAY: |
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Film Willing Persons Inside the Voting Area: Filming must not violate the secrecy of a voter’s ballot, e.g., no direct or clear shots of a voter’s ballot, and must not disrupt the election process. |
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Interview Willing Persons: Media representatives may interview willing persons outside of the polling place. |