LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The Nevada Secretary of State announced new guidance Wednesday that will allow elections staff to process results faster and make results available quicker on election night.
Secretary Francisco Aguilar said previously, counties wouldn’t start counting votes prior to the close of polls, but state law allows for tabulation prior to close of polls, as early as 8 a.m. on Election Day, as long as those results remain secret until after the close of polls. As a result, Secretary Aguilar said counties will start counting votes earlier.
“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.”
Secretary Aguilar said compromising the secrecy of ballots ahead of the close of polls is a crime and keeping the results secret will remain a top priority.
The Secretary of State’s Office released the new timeline guidance for Election Day:
- 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
Secretary Aguilar said the change will be in effect for the June primary and the November general election. Early voting begins Saturday, May 25 and runs through Friday, June 7, with Election Day on June 11.
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