October 1, 2024

LAS VEGAS – The ACLU of Nevada has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to remove over 11,000 registered voters from Washoe County’s voter rolls just weeks before the November election, putting thousands of voters at risk of not receiving their mail-in ballot or having their registrations outright canceled. At least seven of those challenged are ACLUNV members. 

The lawsuit, filed by Citizen Outreach Foundation, demands that the Washoe County Registrar remove these voters from the rolls based on their names appearing in the National Change of Address database. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization argues that reliance on the database to challenge voter eligibility is not only problematic but also unlawful. The action requested in the lawsuit would also violate state and federal law, which prohibits conducting systemic voter roll maintenance within 90 days of an election. These challenges are a broader attempt to disenfranchise voters across the country. 

ACLUNV is urging the court to reject this unfair attempt to remove voters from the rolls and ensure that everyone in Washoe County can vote in the upcoming election. A hearing on the motion to intervene has not yet been scheduled, and a file-stamped copy is attached. 

ACLU of Nevada executive director Athar Haseebullah said: 

“This isn’t just about Washoe County. We’re seeing similar voter purge attempts across the country, targeting voters with flawed data and reckless methods. It’s a coordinated national plan with the same goal: to make it harder for people to vote. We’re standing up against this nationwide attack on voting rights and ensuring every eligible voter can cast their ballot.” 

ACLU of Nevada voting rights attorney Sadmira Ramic said: 

“This lawsuit is a blatant attempt to raise doubts about the accuracy of our elections. It is not supported by state or federal law, and it is another example of the court process being utilized to further election distrust ahead of November. We won’t stand by while eligible voters, especially our own members, are threatened with removal and being disenfranchised ahead of an important presidential election. We’re intervening to protect Nevada voters from this unlawful and undemocratic effort.”