Nevada Voter Files Lawsuit Challenging Republican-Backed Ballot Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, a Nevada voter filed a lawsuit challenging a 2024 ballot initiative that would create strict photo identification requirements for voting in the state.
The lawsuit challenges a Republican-backed ballot initiative that would impose photo ID requirements for in-person voting and require voters who vote by mail to include an identifying number with their mail-in ballot.
The lawsuit argues that the ballot initiative violates Nevada law because it is deceptive, misleading and does not explain the consequences of the ballot initiative to properly inform voters. The complaint also alleges that the ballot initiative violates the Nevada Constitution because the measure would require government spending, but does not provide how revenue would be raised.
The plaintiff argues that requiring all voters to have a photo ID could only be constitutional if Nevada were to offer free photo identification to all voters. Since Nevada does not currently offer free photo ID to all voters, the plaintiff argues that the government would have to provide identification to all Nevada voters but does not explain how this program will be funded. The new ID requirements for mail-in ballots could also require additional funding for new mail ballots and envelopes. Therefore, the plaintiff argues that the ballot initiative violates the Nevada Constitution.
The plaintiff asks for the court to prohibit the secretary of state from putting the photo ID initiative on the 2024 general election ballot.
The initiative comes after Republican-backed groups lost three separate challenges to put a photo ID initiative on the ballot in 2022. The group behind this year’s anti-voting initiative,“Repair the Vote,” was unsuccessful in getting its initiative on the ballot last year due to a similar pro-voting lawsuit. In addition to the failed Repair the Vote initiative, another Republican-backed group, R.I.S.E. Nevada, attempted to add a strict photo identification initiative to the ballot, but were similarly sued and ultimately withdrew the petition.