How to register to vote in Nevada — it’s pretty easy

Whether you just turned 18 years old, recently became a US citizen, or recently moved to Nevada, registering to vote is necessary in order to participate in the November elections. We know how daunting it can be to do anything government related, so that’s why we put together this quick explainer on how to register to vote in Nevada.

RELATED: If it’s your first time voting, make sure to check our step-by-step guide.

First off, our state has several options for how eligible Nevadans can register to vote: You can do so online, by mail, at the DMV, or in person on Election Day (which, by the way, is Nov. 5!). 

Online

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office is expanding online voter registration to be available for residents of all of Nevada’s counties through RegisterToVote.NV.gov. 

In order to register online, Nevada residents must have a DMV issued ID — otherwise you must register in person at the county election office or by mail (more on that below).

Nevadans can also update their voter registration information online, including changing residential address, name, or party affiliation.  

Since 2017, Nevadans who are 17 years old can pre-register to vote — online or in person. Although 17-year-olds cannot vote, those pre-registered are automatically deemed registered to vote on their 18th birthday, unless the person’s pre-registration is canceled.

Something to consider: According to the secretary of state’s website, anyone who registers to vote online during early voting is considered “same-day registration” and must vote in person at a polling location and show a valid Nevada ID.

By mail

Nevadans can choose to register to vote using a mail-in voter registration form. The form must be downloaded, filled out with the necessary personal information, printed, signed and mailed (or dropped off in person) to the county clerk or registrar of voters.

If you have technical problems, you can call the Secretary of State’s office at 775-684-5705 or send an email to [email protected]. 

At the DMV

Eligible voters who apply for, or renew, an ID or driver’s license in Nevada’s DMV are automatically registered to vote, if not already, thanks to a 2018 ballot initiative approved by voters that established the process.

Although the DMV itself does not register voters or maintain voter registration rolls, it submits drivers’ information to the Secretary of State and the county clerks to do so.

Applicants must be US citizens, 18 years old and older, and have not opted out of the Automatic Voter Registration system. People who apply for a driver’s license but are not eligible to vote are not submitted into the Automatic Voter Registration system, including those under the age of 17 and people who are not US citizens (driver authorization cards are not the same as identification cards and cannot be used to vote). 

Election Day

Same-day registration allows Nevadans to register to vote for the first time or update their existing registration on the same day they cast their ballot. 

Those who register on the same day they vote receive a provisional ballot because local election officials need additional time to verify the eligibility of the individual registering to vote, and to verify the voter has not cast another ballot in Nevada. Provisional ballots are included in the final election results after all other mail and in-person ballots have been tabulated and the voter’s eligibility and identity have been verified by the county clerk, which might take a couple days after Election Day (but it will still count!).  

Voters can check the status of their provisional ballot or mail-in ballot at NVSOS.gov/votersearch. If it shows “Provisional Vote” a few days after the election, you met the eligibility requirements and your ballot was counted. If you are deemed not eligible and your ballot cannot be counted, then the “Provisional Vote” label will be removed 10 to 15 days after the election.

Eligible voters must have a valid Nevada issued ID and must vote in-person. Any other form of identification, including a military ID or passport, cannot be used for same-day registration. 

Although an ID is required for same-day registration, the state does not require voters to show ID to vote in future elections — a voter’s identity is verified by comparing the signature on file to the signature gathered at the polling location or on the mail ballot (more on mail-in ballots here). 

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here. 

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Since day one, our goal here at The Nevadan / El Nevadense has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Nevada families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.

Frank Alejandre, Community Editor

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