Did Nevada spend more than $12 million for mail-in voting in the 2022 election cycle?

The 2021 Nevada Legislature, through AB321, appropriated about $12.3 million for Nevada’s mail-in voting system, including the purchase of equipment. The bill also permanently implemented Nevada’s move to expanded mail voting, which began ahead of the 2020 election and amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2022, lawmakers added another $2.2 million for mail-in voting — $14.5 million in total funding.

Under AB321, which all legislative Republicans opposed, every active registered voter receives a mail ballot before primary and general elections; voters may opt out of receiving a ballot by providing written notice to their local election clerk.

During the 2022 general election, just over half of Nevada voters submitted their ballot by mail. In-person voting tends to be more costly. Clark County alone spent $24.6 million on its election department in the 2023 fiscal year.

Eight states, including Nevada, allow all elections to be conducted by mail.