Big Government Comes for Your County Clerk
Remember when we used to trust our local officials to run elections? Those days might be coming to an end in Nevada. Right now, a bill making its way through the Nevada Legislature would give the Secretary of State new powers over your elected county clerks.
Senate Bill 100 just passed the Senate and is now headed for an Assembly vote. If you care about keeping government close to home, you need to know about this bill.
Many local election officials see this bill as a power grab. Critics argue it centralizes election authority in Carson City instead of keeping it with the locally elected officials who are directly accountable to voters.
Inside the Bill: What SB100 Actually Says
Let’s look at what this bill actually says in black and white. The text doesn’t hide its intentions.
Section 1 of the bill states:
“The Secretary of State shall adopt regulations to ensure that election duties are completed and carried out in a timely manner in accordance with any deadline set forth in this title or a regulation adopted pursuant to this title.”
This means the Secretary can create new rules beyond what’s in law. The bill further gives the Secretary power to determine what counts as “timely.”
The penalty section is especially troubling. Under Section 2, if a local election official “willfully fails to perform a duty… in a timely manner,” they face a category E felony charge. That’s the same level of punishment as some theft crimes.
The bill also requires the Secretary of State to approve not just voting machines but also their vendors. Section 3 states:
“A vendor of a mechanical voting system or mechanical recording device may submit an application to the Secretary of State for approval of the vendor.”
Currently, county clerks can choose vendors themselves. Under this bill, that changes – another local decision moves to Carson City.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
For folks who believe in limited government, this bill should set off alarm bells. Here’s why:
- It undermines local control. Conservatives have always believed that government works best when it’s closest to the people.
- It centralizes power. Instead of 17 counties making their own election decisions, one state official gets to call the shots.
- It threatens elected officials with criminal charges for administrative issues. Missing a paperwork deadline shouldn’t be a felony.
State Senator Daly, who introduced the bill, says it’s about making sure election duties are completed on time. But critics see a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
What the Other Side Says
Supporters of the bill argue it’s about ensuring election integrity and uniformity. They believe statewide oversight is necessary to maintain consistent election administration across all counties.
In the bill’s text, the stated purpose is to “ensure that election duties are completed and carried out in a timely manner” – suggesting proponents are concerned about delays or inconsistencies in how elections are run.
But is consistency worth giving up local control? Many conservatives don’t think so.
What Happens Next?
The Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee will hear the bill on Tuesday, May 6th at 4:00 PM. You can attend in person in Carson City or Las Vegas, or join by phone.
If you value local control, this is the time to speak up. You can submit your opinions through the legislature’s website or email committee members directly.
What You Can Do
If you believe elections should stay local, here are some steps you can take:
- Call or email your Assembly member
- Attend the hearing on May 6th
- Submit written testimony to AsmLOE@asm.state.nv.us
- Talk to your neighbors about what’s happening
This isn’t just about elections. It’s about a principle conservatives hold dear: government should be limited, and power should stay close to the people.
The bill also requires Secretary of State approval for counties that want to change voting machine vendors. Again, local decisions would need state permission.
As the battle between state and local control continues, bills like SB100 remind us why conservatives must stay vigilant against the growth of government power.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
