Voter information for Election Day 2004

Friday, Oct. 29, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

Answers to frequently asked questions about voting in Nevada:

Q. When can I vote?

A. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Q. Where do I vote?

A. Your county clerk or registrar assigns polling places and mails out information telling registered voters where they should go on Election Day. If you have not received the card, call your county clerk or registrar or go through the secretary of state's web site to get online information. www.sos.state.nv.us or call 775-684-5705.

Q. Can I still register to vote?

A. No. The deadline for mail-in and in-person registrations has passed. There is no Election Day registration in Nevada.

Q. What do I need when I go to vote?

A. If you registered before January 2003, you do not need any identification. However, it's advisable to bring some form of ID with current, valid photo identification and name and address. These would include a passport, driver's license, student identification card or a pistol or firearm permit. Or, you can bring a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document that shows your name and address.

Q. How do I vote?

A. Before going to a polling place, review a sample ballot listing candidates and their party affiliations, and any ballot questions. Advocates suggest studying this sample ballot before you enter the voting booth. Some counties will provide such material to people standing in line to vote.

Q. What if I have questions about the new electronic, paper-printout voting machines?

A. The polling places are staffed by election officials who can help show you how to use the machine. Note that you can review the paper printout but don't get a copy.

Q. What do I do if I am not permitted to vote?

A. If you believe you are eligible to vote, get a provisional ballot. After the election, election officials will check their records and your vote will be counted if you are eligible to vote. If you didn't bring proper ID on Election Day, you have until Friday to bring that in to election officials. Or you can go home, get the proper ID, and return to vote before polls close.

Q. Can I write my name on the ballot or write someone else's name on the ballot as a candidate?

A. Nevada law prohibits write-in candidacy.

Q. Does Nevada have a "None of These Candidates" option?

A. State law allows Nevadans to vote for "None" instead of actual candidates for statewide office. This year, that includes candidates for president, U.S. Senate and state Supreme Court.

Q. Is it too late to get an absentee ballot?

A. No. If a qualified, registered voter is not able to vote in person due to illness or an emergency, an absentee ballot can be requested up to 5 p.m. on Election Day. The ballot must be hand-delivered to a local election official by 7 p.m. when polls close.

Q. How can I get a copy of the election laws in Nevada?

A. A copy of election laws is on the secretary of state's web site: www.secretaryofstate.biz/nvelection/nrs/

Q. How can I get election results on election night?

A. The secretary of state's office will provide election night returns on its web site: www.secretaryofstate.biz/nvelection/nvelection.htm

Q. Where can I get more information on voting?

A. Election Protection: www.electionprotection2004.org

Impact2004 (law student volunteers): www.impact2004.org