The right to vote is a fundamental one in the United States. Many men and women in this nation’s history fought to the death for the right to cast a ballot in an American election. Voter registration—or enrolling yourself on the electoral register—is a requirement for all otherwise eligible voters who wish to vote in a local or national election. While you are not legally required to add your name to the electoral register, if you are interested in casting a ballot in any election at any level, you must register.
Eligibility Requirements
Someone who wishes to become a Nevada registered voter must first meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible to vote in the state of Nevada you must:
- Be a United States Citizen;
- Be a resident of Nevada for at least 30 days prior to the date of an election;
- Be a resident of your Nevada precinct for at least 10 days prior to an election;
- Be at least 18 years of age on or before the election date;
- Not have been declared to be mentally incompetent by a court of law; and
- Not claim any other place as your legal residence.
If you have a been convicted of a violent felony in Nevada, or have a second felony conviction, you will need to petition to have your civil rights (including your right to vote) restored. On the other hand, if you have been convicted of a non-violent felony your civil rights will be restored after your discharge from parole and/or incarceration.
Registering to Vote in Nevada
A person wishing to register to vote in the state may do so either through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) or the Nevada Secretary of State’s (NSOS) office. You have several ways to register through these agencies including online, in person, and through the mail.
Once you have registered to vote, you may need to update your information or re-register if you change residencies or any other relevant information changes. Specifically, if you change your name, address of residency, or political affiliation, you must update your Nevada voter information. It is important to know that voter rolls are generally considered public information. That being said, the NSOS allows a registered voter to request his or her address and/or telephone number be withheld from public view. In order to have this done, a voter must submit a written request to his or her county clerk or registrar asking to keep this information private. Without the need to request, the NSOS withholds a person’s email address, social security number, state ID number, and driver’s license number automatically.
You Do Not Have to Register to Vote
Although it is not a mandated legal requirement to be on the electoral register in the United States, voting is a fundamental right in the country that should be exercised because it affects our everyday lives, and the lives of our posterity. If you or someone you know has any questions about voting, restoration of civil rights, or any other legal matter, contact the knowledgeable Nevada lawyers at H & P. To speak with an attorney call (702) 879-9555 today.
