Early Voting Trends in Clark County

Voting Early (Before Election Day) is Easy, Convenient and Popular:  Since 2000, more people in Clark County have voted before election day than on election day, through a combination of early voting (the main source) and mail ballot voting.  In 2008, 87 early voting sites were open during the 14-day early voting period.  The many nearby neighborhood early voting sites provide all eligible voters the opportunity to cast their ballot at a time and place convenient for them.  The tables below break down turnout by voting method from 1996 to 2008.  The data confirms the popularity of early voting.

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Who May Vote Early

In federal/state elections, all voters registered in Clark County may vote before Election Day at any early voting site. In municipal elections, voters registered within the specific boundaries of an incorporated city may vote at an early voting site within their own city.  Early voting sites are either “permanent” (long-term) or “neighborhood” (short-term).

What is Early Voting

Since 2000, more people in Clark County have voted before Election Day than on Election Day, primarily as a result of Clark County’s Early Voting Program (mail ballots also account for a very small percentage).  In 2006, 74 early voting sites were set up throughout the County. The many nearby neighborhood early voting sites provide eligible voters an opportunity to cast their ballot at a time and place convenient for them. Sites include shopping malls, super-markets, libraries and community centers.

When Early Voting Occurs

It begins the Saturday, 17 days before election day, and continues everyday for 14 days, ending the Friday before election day:    

Site Schedules:  Hours and days vary by site.  A complete schedule with specific sites, dates and hours will be available as follows:

Internet:  www.accessclarkcounty.com/elections

Election Department:  Call 702-455-VOTE (8683) or send an e-mail to elinfo@co.clark.nv.us

Sample Ballot:  The front section of your sample ballot contains an early voting schedule. Sample ballots are mailed before early voting begins.

Newspapers:  The Registrar of Voters publishes the schedule during the week before the period for early voting begins and at least once each week during the period for early voting.

Where to Find Early Voting Sites

Early voting sites are either “permanent” (long-term) or “neighborhood” (short-term).

Permanent Sites:  Permanent sites are long-term, i.e., early voting is conducted at the same location for the entire 14 days of early voting. They are usually in high-traffic areas, such as major shopping malls, Election Department offices or City Clerks’ offices. These sites have 20 to 40 touch-screen voting machines.

Neighborhood Sites (Short-Term):  Neighborhood sites are short-term, i.e., early voting is conducted at a location for two or more days and then moves on. These sites are in smaller facilities (local supermarkets, libraries, community centers, etc.) and ensure all voters in the County have access to a site located in their neighborhood. These sites have 6 to 15 touch-screen voting machines.

  
Early Voting at the Vons Supermarket at Desert Inn and Eastern

Why a Specific Site is Selected

The Early Voting Advisory Board works with the Registrar of Voters to identify and select locations which provide all Clark County voters an equal opportunity to vote during the 14 days of early voting.  The Advisory Board includes representatives from various communities of interest such as senior citizens’ groups, minority interest groups, political parties and other community organizations.

How to Early Vote

Upon arriving at the site, your eligibility and signature will be verified before you are allowed to vote.  Computers at each site are connected to the Election Department’s centralized voter registration files and your voting record will be updated when you vote, thus preventing the possibility of anyone voting twice.  All early voting sites use “Edge” touch screen voting machines.  These machines provide ballots and instructions in both English and Spanish.

Early Voting Turnout and Results

Daily early voting turnout (total voters per site) will be available every night after 10:00 p.m. on the Internet at www.accessclarkcounty.com/elections. Tabulated results will be available after 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Complete tabulated election results will be on the above-referenced web site or on TV cable Channel 4.