Nevada committee hears bill to create $1,000 filing fee for major‑party presidential primary candidates

The Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections on April 22 heard Senate Bill 225, which would establish a $1,000 filing fee for major‑party candidates seeking a place on Nevada's presidential primary ballot. Senator James Ohrenschall (Senate District 21), sponsor of the bill, introduced the measure and answered committee questions.

SB225 seeks to create a filing fee for major‑party presidential nominations that does not currently exist in state law, Ohrenschall told the committee. He said the proposal grew out of the interim committee on legislative operations and elections and is intended to reduce the number of “unserious” filings that impose administrative burdens on the Secretary of State's office.

Deputy Secretary of State for Elections Mark Wlaschin told the committee that the bill mirrors fees charged in other states and that Nevada currently charges a $250 filing fee for minor‑party presidential candidates and a $250 fee for independent presidential candidates under a different Nevada Revised Statute (NRS 298.901). Wlaschin said the Secretary of State collects filing fees and forwards them to the state general fund.

Two advocacy groups offered oral support during the hearing. Jennifer Willett, senior campaign manager at All Voting Is Local Action Nevada, said a filing fee would “create a fairer filing system, reduce the number of unserious candidate filings, reduce costs, and alleviate unnecessary paperwork for election officials.” Ryan Vortisch of Silver State Voices said SB225 would save taxpayers money and reserve primary ballots for serious contenders.

No callers testified in opposition or neutral positions at the time of the hearing, and the committee took no formal action on SB225 during the session.

The sponsor closed by asking the committee to pass the bill; the hearing was then closed with no vote reported.