Nevada Democrat Party Chair Condemns Washoe Voting Rstrictions

February 20, 20220708

LAS VEGAS – Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Judith Whitmer released the following statement in response to a dangerous and anti-democratic resolution [under consideration by the Board of Washoe County Commissioners:

“It is with absolute outrage that we have discovered a shocking effort to assault the electoral process of Washoe County.

This coming Tuesday, on February 22nd, the Board of Washoe County Commissioners will consider the passage of Election Resolution R22-28. This resolution, which masks itself as concern for electoral “security,” is in reality, nothing but a sweeping attack on Washoe County’s voters, and the first step in subverting the democratic process all across Nevada.

If passed, this resolution would purge existing voter records, eliminate nonpartisan oversight of elections, allow for only a single electronic voting booth per precinct, demand that members of the National Guard be set at all polling stations and counting centers, and even strip voters of their right to a secret ballot.

This measure represents the single most vicious voter suppression attempt in recent history, surpassing even the tactics being used against voters in Texas and Georgia. We recognize that this travesty is not an independent event – it is part of a concerted effort by right-wing extremists to delegitimize and ultimately dismantle the foundations of free and fair elections.

Nevada is an increasingly critical battleground state, and as the attacks on the integrity of our democracy intensify, so must our efforts to defend it. We are calling upon all Washoe residents – regardless of party or affiliation – to loudly speak out against this unconscionable resolution.

We ask that you attend the Washoe County Board meeting this Tuesday, February 22nd, at 10:00 AM at 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, NV 89512 and demand the rejection of this resolution.

For those unable to make their voices heard in person, we ask that you email the Clerk at Washoe311@washoecounty.gov as well as your commissioners at commissioners@washoecounty.gov before 4:00 PM this Friday, February 18th, 2022.

Now more than ever, Democrats must stand together not only to fight for a better world for all of us, but to protect the inalienable right of every Nevadan to have a voice and a vote in how that world will be won.”