Assembly Bill No. 18

Assembly Bill No. 18-Committee on Elections,
Procedures, and Ethics

(On Behalf of Assemblywoman Giunchigliani)

Prefiled on January 15, 1997
____________

Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

SUMMARY--Expands area around polling place where electioneering and solicitation of votes is prohibited. (BDR 24-1065)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.

EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.

AN ACT relating to elections; expanding the area around a polling place where electioneering and the solicitation of votes is prohibited; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1 NRS 293.740 is hereby amended to read as follows:
293.740 1. [It] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 293.361, it is unlawful inside a polling place [:] or within 100 feet from the entrance to the building or other structure in which a polling place is located:
(a) For any person to solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking his ballot.
(b) For any person, including an election board officer, to do any electioneering on election day.
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to the conduct of a person in a private residence or on residential property that is within 100 feet from the entrance to a building or other structure in which a polling place is located.
3. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
4. As used in this section, "electioneering" means campaigning for or against a candidate, ballot question or political party by:
(a) Posting signs;
(b) Distributing literature;
(c) Wearing insigne; or
(d) Using loudspeakers to broadcast information,
relating to the support of or opposition to a candidate, ballot question or political party.
Sec. 2. The provisions of subsection 1 of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any additional expenses of a local government that are related to the provisions of this act.
Sec. 3. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to offenses that are committed before October 1, 1997.