Monday, Jul. 10, 2023
Does SB406 make it illegal to hold election officials accountable?
SB406 makes it illegal to use “any force, intimidation, coercion, violence, restraint or undue influence” against an election official or share any of their personal information with the intent that it be used to harm them. These actions are now a felony, which could result in a fine and up to four years in prison.
The bill was a priority for state Democratic officials after threats against election workers spiked in 2020 and 2022.
Citizens will still be able to hold election officials accountable through observing polling places, ballot counting, and filing formal complaints with the secretary of state.
Sigal Chattah, the national committeewoman for the Nevada GOP, filed a lawsuit on June 29 against Gov. Joe Lombardo and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar alleging that the law is too vague in its definitions of “election officials” and illegal actions against them.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Nevada Legislature SB406
- Nevada Independent Lombardo signs election worker protection bill amid rising partisan tensions
- Nevada Secretary of State Report Potential Election Law Violations
- Court Listener Vanness v. Aguilar (D. Nev., 2:23-cv-01009)
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