Nevada Voting Rights Groups Mobilize to Combat Election Interference as Early Voting Nears
LAS VEGAS, NV - Today, members of key Nevada voting rights groups shared information with voters and the press ahead of early voting, which starts in a couple of days. Speakers highlighted the importance of dropping off mail ballots early, key early voting dates, guidance on their election protection program, and efforts to combat disinformation and protect elections from interference. This year, the election protection program aims to have volunteers at all voting sites in Clark and Washoe Counties. The program helps voters who run into issues at polling locations during early voting and on Election Day.
Emily Persaud-Zamora, Executive Director of Silver State Voices, issued the following statement:
“I want to remind voters what is at stake in this election, and really, every election: your power. When you vote, you decide which elected officials and policies have a say in the issues that matter to you, like housing, the cost of living, and education. On the flip side, when you decide not to vote, that is you giving away your power. Not voting allows others to make decisions for you, decisions that could affect your day-to-day life. Voting is just one way to shape the future of you and your loved ones. Nevada’s elections give you the flexibility to vote on your schedule, so make a plan to vote as early as you can. Bring your voice to the polls and make sure all the voters in your life do the same. Remember, voting is not only our power, it is also our constitutional right.”
Kerry Durmick, Nevada State Director of All Voting is Local, issued the following statement:
“There has been a lot of talk about the 2026 midterms – many of us have been having conversations in our communities about what to expect, what’s the best way to cast our ballots, and what, if anything, has changed. What I want voters to know is that states run elections. Our state and local officials are committed to ensuring Nevadans can vote easily, free from intimidation, and know their vote is counted.
I believe deeply in the power of our vote. Many of us celebrated PRIDE last weekend, and it reminded me of how important it is to protect our rights, including our freedom to vote. For much of the 20th century, sodomy laws and anti-homosexuality statutes classified gay and lesbian people as criminals. A felony or "infamous crime" conviction often meant an automatic loss of voting rights.
In 2026, the history of those laws can still be felt, especially as transgender and gender-nonconforming voters continue to face systemic hurdles. Discrepancies between a person's legal identity documents, appearance, and lived gender identity have historically been used to challenge or block them at the polls. This lived history reminds me why I fight for voting rights. With the early voting period about to begin, I hope we all celebrate our freedom to vote by making our voices heard at the ballot box.”
Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union Nevada, issued the following statement:
“The top threats we’ve heard are ICE at polling sites or adjacent to polling sites, federal troops coming in to seize ballots. We’ve also heard about interference with the U.S. Post Office and how votes might be counted. Unfortunately, with this administration, even when they rule something out or say it's not being considered, history suggests the exact opposite could happen. Nobody knows what this administration plans to do. While they have said they are not planning to send ICE to any voting sites, that's not a sufficient way of planning for what might actually occur. At ACLU of Nevada, alongside our partner organizations here in Nevada and across the country, we have been preparing for efforts by the federal government to interfere in the election. That is a task, duty, and obligation that we take very seriously, and I’m not saying that that’s what will happen in this election, but we’d be remiss if we did not prepare for that possibility. We have coordinated with a variety of stakeholders. We are prepared to litigate any claims of intimidation if ICE is deployed to a polling site, which is a clear violation of federal law that’s been well established at this point. We recognize that there are going to be a lot of reports coming through during the election about different issues that don’t necessarily involve the federal government. This year we will have the largest observation presence we’ve had in the state historically. Our objective on Election Day is to ensure every site in Nevada, to the degree we can cover them, is staffed with an observer. That doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Observation is a good thing.”
Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Institute for a Progressive Nevada, issued the following statement:
“Our democracy is strongest when people can make their voices heard and choose who represents them. As we face attempts to interfere in our elections, we must remain committed to ensuring all eligible voters cast their ballots. They wouldn’t want to stop us from voting if it didn’t matter. They are scared that our voices are too strong, too loud, and too big to fail.”
Noé Orosco, Coalition Coordinator of the Nevada Immigrant Coalition, issued the following statement:
“Naturalized or born here, your citizenship is equal and your vote has power. Many people in our community are voting for the first time this year, and we want to ensure they feel safe and confident to do so. Our Nevadan families have been through too much to sit this one out.”
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About Institute for a Progressive Nevada: Institute for a Progressive Nevada, through strategic communication efforts, educates, empowers, and engages Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.
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