LAS VEGAS—The ACLU of Nevada and All Voting is Local Nevada are running a five-figure digital ad campaign urging Governor Steve Sisolak to protect voting rights during the special legislative session by improving options for in-person voting and sending absentee ballots to every registered voter in Nevada, ensuring the over 1.8 millionregistered Silver State voters can safely vote this November.
ACLU of Nevada Policy Director Holly Welborn said:
“Refusing to expand vote by mail and in-person voting options during a pandemic would be a public health disaster. By sending absentee ballots to every eligible voter, expanding the number of polling locations to allow for social distancing, and increasing the number of drop boxes and curbside voting options, Governor Sisolak can ensure the protection of our health and our democracy this November. Anything less is voter suppression, period.”
As rates of COVID-19 infection continue to soar across the country, large public gatherings remain unsafe for many Americans and Nevadans. Voting by mail and expanding in-person voting options are common-sense solutions to protect our health during this pandemic. The ACLU of Nevada and All Voting is Local Nevada urge Gov. Sisolak to follow the guidance of public health experts and increase no-contact voting by ensuring access to vote by mail and safe in-person voting options— a step that would minimize infections and save lives.
Because COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Brown communities, a failure to expand vote by mail would have devastating consequences for populations that have historically faced discriminatory barriers to the ballot in Nevada and across the country.
Kerry Durmick, Nevada state director at All Voting is Local, said:
“We can’t force people to choose between voting and their health. Governor Sisolak should know who would be most affected by his inaction. If officials don’t implement and fully fund expanded voting options, they are playing politics with Nevadans’ health.”
