Public deserves transparency about how elections are run
LAS VEGAS — Amid nationwide efforts to sow distrust in elections, All Voting is Local Nevada urged Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske to offer more public and detailed opportunities for voters to engage in election planning, in addition to the one planned meeting of the year, and ramp up public education efforts through multimedia ad campaigns.
“As the state’s election chief, it’s your duty to protect the freedom to vote for all Nevadans, and we urge you to take further action to engage and inform the public,” Kerry Durmick, All Voting is Local Nevada state director, wrote in a letter to Cegavske. “Nevada voters deserve clear and direct information from your office. We expect additional, regular public opportunities to offer feedback and learn more about your plans to carry out the upcoming election.”
The letter highlights three steps the secretary of state’s office should take to address gaps in voter education:
- Offer more public meetings. The letter notes that last month’s Advisory Committee on Participatory Democracy meeting, hosted by the secretary of state’s office, is the only public election meeting on the calendar for this year.
- Be more vigilant about providing voters with accurate information about their options to vote, including voting by mail.
- Launch a voter education campaign once the current legislative session ends, to inform voters about any changes to voting and elections.
The letter is available here.