Nye County resident urges felony penalty for poll-watcher interference, cites federal and state law

During the meeting's public-comment period, Jane B. Davis of Nye County addressed the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections about restrictions she said occurred during the 2024 general election on citizens observing polling locations.

Davis told the committee she believes federal and state law protect poll observers and cited federal statute and Nevada law and guidance. "United States, code 2 4 5, 'federally protected activities,'" she said, referencing federal protections for those qualifying or acting as poll watchers. She also cited the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Secretary of State's Voter Bill of Rights and invoked NRS 293.274, which she said allows the general public to observe voting at a polling place.

Davis said she encountered practices at some polling places in 2024 that required disclosure of party affiliation and limited seating to three members of the public—"1 seat for a Democrat, 1 seat for a Republican, and 1 seat for a nonpartisan citizen"—and alleged those restrictions prevented citizens from observing the election process. She argued those practices amounted to intimidation and unlawfulness under state law and asked legislators to "address these unlawful acts with legislation that declares these acts as a class E felony, commensurate with NRS 293.71 and NRS 293.705," in support of voters' rights.

Committee staff recorded the comment during the public-comment period; no committee response or action was taken during the meeting.

Members adjourned following the public-comment period.