Voter ID ballot question returns to Nevadans for final approval

When they show up to polling places this fall, Nevadans will not be required to show a photo ID in order to cast their ballots.

But it could be the last time that’s the case.

Nevadans appear poised to embrace voter ID requirements. They overwhelmingly supported the idea two years ago, with 73% voting in favor. But they need to pass it a second time for the requirement to go into effect.

Question 7 proposes amending the state constitution to include a requirement that Nevadans present government-issued photo identification before voting in-person. Question 7 would also require that voters using a mail ballot list the last four digits of their Nevada driver’s license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, or a number provided to them by their county clerk when they registered to vote.

The ballot question has garnered relatively little coverage this election cycle, with no political action committees spending significant amounts of money in support or opposition.

Voter ID ballot questions typically pass when put before voters.

Supporters describe the proposal as a common sense election reform that may help restore people’s faith in the democratic process. Those opposed see it as a solution in search of a problem and say it will disenfranchise people who don’t have an acceptable form of ID.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states have laws requesting or requiring voters to show some form of identification at the polls. Strictness on the forms of ID accepted vary by state, but 21 states require photo identification and 15 states accept non-photo forms of identification, such as utility bills or bank statements that include a person’s name and address.

Nevada is among the 14 states that currently do not require any documentation. Signatures are used to verify identification.

Question 7 lists eight approved forms of government-approved IDs, including driver’s licenses, passports and tribal photo IDs. It also allows the Nevada State Legislature to approve other acceptable IDs, though they must still be government issued. The IDs must be current or not expired for more than four years, unless the voter is over 70, in which case the ID can be expired for any length of time.

Question 7 comes amid broader attacks from the Trump administration on state election systems, including a push to restrict who receives mail ballots and when they can be counted. Those efforts have largely been thwarted by litigation brought by Democratic states.

Full arguments in favor and in opposition of Question 7 will be available in voting materials sent by counties. A coalition that includes Good Trouble Vegas, League of Women Voters Nevada, Nevada NOW, and PLAN Action, Population Connection Action Fund, and Read Freely Nevada will also be hosting an event focused on Question 7 and Question 6 (the abortion rights initiative) at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Spring Valley Library