Nevada committee hears bill to allow volunteer poll workers and restore some post‑conviction employment rights

Assembly Members heard testimony on Assembly Bill 262 on a proposal to allow poll workers the option to serve without compensation and to remove statutory bars that prevent some people with prior felony convictions involving theft or fraud from serving as field registrars or working at voter registration agencies.

Assembly Member Cecilia Gonzales, the bill's presenter, told the committee the measure "seeks to address some of those concerns and aims to increase the number of election workers for our future elections." Gonzales said the bill offers two primary changes: an option for poll workers to decline pay and repeal of provisions that bar certain people with past felony convictions involving theft or fraud from registrar roles. She said the volunteer option "is an option, not a requirement."

Supporters said the changes would expand the pool of available workers. Ryan Vortish of Silver State Voices said the volunteer option would protect retirees' PERS benefits and "create an opportunity for greater institutional knowledge and retention among those running our elections." Jennifer Willett of All Voting Is Local Action Nevada and Eric Jeng of oneAPIA Nevada also urged support, saying the bill would make it easier for students, retirees and people reentering the community after incarceration to participate in running elections.

Opponents raised concerns about election integrity and constitutional or federal conflicts. Oscar Williams, testifying in opposition, argued that relying on volunteers could undermine the quality and competence of election staff and said the bill risked creating special local legislation prohibited by the Nevada Constitution. Ellen Gifford cited specific Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) provisions removed by the bill—NRS 293.5045 and NRS 293.505—and asked the committee to confirm compliance with federal law and coordination with the secretary of defense for voter registration agencies associated with military recruitment offices. Iris Stone, another opponent, said removing prohibitions could reduce public confidence and questioned whether unpaid work could hinder timely, accurate administration of elections.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Assemblymember Cole asked whether there are cases where a person convicted of a felony would not have restored rights; Vice Chair Gonzales replied she would follow up with an answer. The bill also makes conforming changes to the Las Vegas Charter and the Airport Authority Acts for Battle Mountain and Carson City to allow certain officers to opt to serve without compensation.

No formal vote was recorded in the transcript. The hearing closed after public testimony and committee discussion, with questions and requests for follow‑up information recorded in the hearing record.

Supporters framed the bill as a practical response to a recurring poll‑worker shortage and as consistent with restoring civil rights after sentence completion. Opponents emphasized risks to public confidence and urged additional legal review before advancing the measure.

The committee did not record a final action on AB 262 during the hearing. Committee members requested follow‑up on statutory interactions and whether rights restoration always occurs after release from incarceration.