Politics and Policy

An Illustrated Guide On Voting By Mail In Nevada

KUNR Public Radio | By Natalie Van Hoozer,

Published October 13, 2020 at 11:00 AM PDT

Nevada mail-in voting. Here’s what to know. Illustration of a mail truck.

User note: If you are accessing this information with a screen reader or related assistive technology, please continue to the paragraph titled “Filling Out Your Ballot” for a transcription of the following infographics.

This illustrated mail-in voting guide is based on reporting from Stephanie Serrano and Natalie Van Hoozer regarding the Nevada 2020 general election. To learn about the state's voting process in detail visit their past reporting here.

To vote by mail be sure to register online by Oct. 15. Early voting starts Oct. 17-30 and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Infographic titled “Filling out your ballot.” Illustration of a mail-in ballot with a pen filling in a candidate selection.

Infographic titled “Mailing your ballot.” Illustration of a mail-in ballot being placed into the designated envelope for returning your ballot.

Infographic titled “What else?” Illustration of an official ballot drop-off box.

Filling Out Your Ballot

When filling out the official ballot, use a black or blue pen only and fill in the oval completely for the responses you choose.
If a voter chooses to not vote on some candidates or questions, the ballot will be counted for the ones you do mark. If a mistake is made, such as marking the wrong response, the voter must strike out the error and fill in the oval for the correct choice.

Mailing Your Ballot

When mailing out the official ballot, the voter must sign the signature box on the inside flap of the return envelope for the ballot to count. The signature will be used to help verify the voter’s identity and will be compared with the signature on file with the registrar of voters.
If there is an issue with the voter’s signature, the voter will be contacted and asked to validate their signature by officials.
Ballots have individual barcodes. False copies can be identified and rejected by local officials.
All mail-in ballot return envelopes are prepaid, first-class mail, and should arrive within 1-3 business days. Voters don’t need a stamp. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or dropped off by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Attempting to vote twice in the same election is a felony in Nevada.

What Else?

Voters in Nevada can track their mail-in ballots through an online portal called BallotTrax.
If a voter doesn’t want to mail their ballot, the voter can drop it off at a designated location before 7 p.m. on Election Day. Visit the Secretary of State's website to learn where your closest drop-off location or polling site is.