Nye County board accepts primary canvass; residents press for candidate background checks

The Nye County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the canvass of primary election returns for the June 11, 2024, contest during a joint meeting on June 21, 2024, approving the clerk’s tabulation by voice vote with a 4–0 tally and one commissioner absent.

The canvass motion was made by Commissioner Carboni and seconded by the Vice Chair; the board called for the 'ayes' and the chair declared the motion carried 4 with 1 not present.

The item drew extended public comment focused not on specific race results but on election administration and candidate vetting. Karen Waldman asked why candidates are not required to undergo background checks, saying, 'I wanna know why we don't do background checks on candidates,' and arguing that people who manage large public budgets should be screened. The clerk replied that background‑check authority for candidates would require action at the state level, urging proponents to raise the issue with their assemblyman and state senators.

Poll workers and voters also described election‑day tensions. Jenny Okawa, who said she served as an election chairwoman, praised most voters but recounted several confrontational incidents and urged civility: 'Voters, you have a responsibility to be informed about who is on the ballot and what issues are on the ballot.' She explained Nevada’s 2021 mail‑in ballot policy and advised voters who do not want mailed ballots to opt out using forms available from the secretary of state or clerk’s office.

Voter Sharon Cruz suggested simplifying the in‑person check‑in process so that voters receive their ballot immediately upon verification. The clerk defended the current two‑person ballot control procedure for paper ballots as necessary to maintain a chain of custody and said the county achieved 'amazing ballot control' during the primary.

The clerk reported turnout of 34.1 percent for this primary, down from 39 percent in 2022, and said the lower rate was largely because fewer local races were on this year’s ballot. Commissioners and staff noted some concerns about DMV‑initiated party changes and said those issues fall under state responsibility.

Commissioners who spoke acknowledged the public concerns but emphasized the county’s limited authority. Commissioner Cox said county staff perform background checks and drug testing for county employees but agreed that changing candidate filing requirements would require state legislative changes. Multiple commissioners said they would raise the background‑check question with state officials or with associations such as NACO.

The meeting concluded after routine agenda items and commissioner comments; no change to candidate‑filing rules or new county policy on candidate background checks was adopted during the session.