Nevada Signature Collection Deadline Extended due to COVID-19

LWV of Nevada and Partners Call on Governor to Allow Online Signature Collection

RENO—Late last Friday, a federal judge ruled that the deadline to collect signatures should be extended for Fair Maps Nevada’s ballot initiative petition in Fair Maps Nevada v. Barbara Cegavske due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The League of Women Voters of Nevada is a leading member of the Fair Maps Nevada coalition. 

Following Friday’s ruling, Fair Maps Nevada is calling on Governor Sisolak to issue an executive order setting the new submission deadline to August 5th and allowing the use of the state’s online voter registration system to collect signatures safely and securely. 

“Petition rights are protected in our state’s constitution, and to allow them to be derailed because of a pandemic silences Nevada voters’ voices,” said Sondra Cosgrove, President of the League of Women Voters of Nevada. “We celebrate the ruling allowing a deadline extension, but we now call on Governor Sisolak to allow voters to safely exercise their right to petition through online signature collection.” 

Earlier this spring, Fair Maps Nevada had begun collecting signatures to include a ballot measure on the state’s 2020 ballot that would create an independent redistricting commission to oversee Nevada’s redistricting process, when the COVID-19 pandemic derailed their efforts. Fair Maps Nevada argued for an extension because social distancing practices, stay-at-home orders, and risk of infection make it harder to collect signatures safely. Additionally, they requested to use the state’s online voter registration system to collect signatures. Friday’s ruling granted the deadline extension, without a specific date, but left the question of online signature collection to Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. 

Fair Maps Nevada’s ballot initiative petition is part of the League of Women Voters’ People Powered Fair Maps campaign that aims to ensure fair redistricting practices in all 50 states. 

“The League of Women Voters is proud of the work that Fair Maps Nevada is doing for the People Powered Fair Maps Campaign to achieve fair district maps for Nevadans,” said Chris Carson, president of the board of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “We are excited that their signature collection deadline has been extended and hope the governor will honor requests to allow voters to safely sign petitions amid the COVID-19 pandemic." 

The League of Women Voters of Nevada encourages Nevada citizens to take action by signing Fair Maps Nevada’s petition asking for Governor Sisolak to issue an executive order. 

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LaQuita Howard | 202-843-0573 | [email protected]