Restrictions

The rules for electioneering and campaigning are in NRS 293.3572, 293.361, 293.740, and 293.437(4) (as amended by AB345 and SB123 of the 2019 legislative session).  Electioneering rules are now the same for PRIVATE PROPERTY for both Election Day and Early Voting, as a result of AB345 and SB123 of the 2019 legislative session. 

• PRIVATE PROPERTY (Malls, Shopping Centers, Supermarkets, etc.):

  If the early voting site or Election Day Vote Center is located on private property, electioneering and petitions are not allowed ANYWHERE on the property without the owner’s permission.  A list of sites that do and don't allow campaigning will be on the Election Department's website home page when the information becomes available.  (NRS 293.3572(4) and 293.437(4) as amended by AB345 and SB123 of the 2019 legislative session)

   

• PUBLIC PROPERTY (Government Buildings, Libraries, Schools, etc.):

• Early Voting:  Electioneering and petitions are not allowed within 100 feet of the voting area.  Election workers will post "Distance Marker" signs at the 100 foot limit to distinguish the boundaries.  (NRS 293.361)

• Election Day:  Electioneering and petitions are not allowed within 100 feet of the entrance to the building or structure in which a polling place is located.  Election workers will post "Distance Marker" signs at the 100 foot limit to distinguish the boundaries.  (NRS 293.740)

   

• PUBLIC OBSERVATION:

  Public observation rules also apply (see below) for all Election Day Vote Centers and early voting sites. 

Definition

NRS 293.740 defines electioneering as campaigning for or against a candidate, ballot question or political party by:

• Soliciting signatures of any kind, including for petitions

• Posting signs

• Distributing literature

• Using loudspeakers

• Buying, selling, wearing or displaying any badge, button or other insignia, except that a person may wear political insignia while voting only if he/she is reasonably unable to cover it

Procedures

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 and the observer must remain within this area at all times, including during the closing of the polls (NAC 293.245 (5), (6)). 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.

What Public Observers May Not Do

Public may NOT:

• 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.

• Converse with Voters
  Conversation with voters in the voting area is not allowed.

• 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.

• Use Electronic Communication Devices
  Observers and voters must turn off two-way radios and cell phones inside the voting area. Using cell phones for texting purposes is permitted.

• 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.

What Public Observers May Do

Public observers MAY:

• 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.

What Media Representatives with Proper Credential May Do

Media representatives MAY:

• 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.

• Interview Willing Persons
  Media representatives may interview willing persons outside of the polling place 

The Clark County Election Department has no jurisdiction regarding political signage. For information about signs on property under the jurisdiction of:

•

Clark County
Contact the Public Response Office at (702) 455-4191 or see their website at:
https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/administrative-services/pro/Pages/default.aspx.

•

An Incorporated City
For Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite or North Las Vegas, contact the applicable City Clerk’s office.

•

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), Including Signs Adjacent to State Highways
Contact Shay Smith at (702) 385-6541.  NDOT sign information will be included in the packet you will receive when you file for office.  Also see the NDOT website at:
https://www.nevadadot.com/doing-business/public-involvement-information/sign-rules-regulations.