Remember that ballot drop box bill we warned you about back in March? Well, it’s happening. AB306 passed the Nevada Senate and is now sitting on Governor Joe Lombardo’s desk. Time to buckle up, folks.
What AB306 Actually Does
This bill forces counties to set up extra ballot drop boxes during the three-day gap between early voting and Election Day. That’s Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before Tuesday’s election. Clark County has to put up 10 boxes. Washoe County needs 5. Smaller counties get to decide for themselves (how generous).
These boxes have to stay open for at least seven hours each day. Who pays for this? Your county. Who asked for it? Not your county.
Why This Matters to You as a Conservative
Three big problems here:
First, it’s an unfunded mandate. The state is telling counties what to do without giving them money to do it. The bill even admits it “contains unfunded mandate” that was “not requested by affected local government.” That money comes out of your local taxes.
Second, it takes away local control. Nevada’s biggest counties don’t get a choice. The state legislature decided for them. This goes against everything conservatives believe about letting communities make their own decisions.
Third, there are real security concerns. Unlike drop boxes at polling places with staff watching them, these new boxes operate when regular polling places are closed. No poll workers. No oversight.
What Supporters Are Saying
Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, who sponsored the bill, claims it will “speed up ballot counting” and give “voters more opportunities to vote prior to Election Day.” He tweeted that the bill:
“extends drop box access, giving voters more opportunities to vote prior to Election Day, ensures the security of drop boxes, and will result in faster counting and quicker results.”
#AB306 passed the Senate today and is on its way to the Governor! It extends drop box access, giving voters more opportunities to vote prior to Election Day, ensures the security of drop boxes, and will result in faster counting and quicker results. #NVLeg https://t.co/SM89KQn86T
— Steve Yeager (@SpeakerYeagerNV) May 12, 2025
A Simple Question No One’s Answering
Here’s what’s really puzzling. Nevada already has a mail-in ballot system. Everyone gets a ballot mailed to their house. You can mail it back through the regular postal service. You know, those blue mailboxes that are already everywhere? Or, maybe the mailbox in front of your home?
Nevada law says you can mail your ballot as long as it’s postmarked by Election Day. So why do we need special county-funded boxes just for a three-day window?
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The vote wasn’t even close. In the Assembly, it passed 28-14. All Assembly Democrats voted in favor, and all but one Assembly Republican voted against this bill. Lisa Cole, who represents District 4 in Clark County, joined with Democrats in supporting the measure.
What’s interesting is what happened in other states with heavy drop box usage. Take the 2022 Nevada elections. Elections officials found tens of thousands of uncounted ballots in drop boxes well after Election Day. Some counties didn’t finish counting until the following weekend.
A Pattern You Should Notice
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Nevada has been expanding mail-in voting since 2020. The state became a universal mail-in ballot state during the pandemic. Now we’re adding more drop boxes. What’s next?
Other states with similar systems have seen ballot harvesting concerns increase. That’s when third parties collect ballots from voters and turn them in. Nevada’s law allows someone else to return your ballot for you. More drop boxes mean more opportunities for this practice.
What Critics Are Warning About
Nevada Families for Freedom isn’t mincing words. They say the bill “increases the opportunity for election fraud” and point out that without poll workers present, there’s “greater risk of stuffing the ballot box with mail-in ballots.”
The group also warns about increased ballot harvesting opportunities since “ballots can be delivered by someone other than the voter.”
What Happens Next
Governor Lombardo now has to decide. He’s been clear that he wants faster ballot counting. In his State of the State address, he said all ballots should be counted by Election Day. If the legislature doesn’t solve the slow counting problem, he’s threatened to put the issue to voters as a ballot measure.
But AB306 doesn’t make ballot counting faster. It just adds more boxes during a three-day window. It’s like claiming you’ll clean your house faster by adding more hampers.
The Real Question for Governor Lombardo
Lombardo ran as a conservative Republican. He knows what unfunded mandates do to local budgets. He understands the importance of local control. He’s seen what expanded mail-in voting has done to Nevada’s elections.
The question is simple: Will he stand with counties who didn’t ask for this mandate? Or will he sign a bill that forces them to spend money they don’t have on drop boxes for a system that already lets people mail their ballots?
What You Can Do Right Now
Governor Lombardo hasn’t signed the bill yet. Here’s how you can make your voice heard:
Call the Governor’s office at (775) 684-5670. Tell them AB306 is an unfunded mandate that hurts local control.
Email the Governor through the state website. Be polite but clear about your concerns.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
