The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 13, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
A Nevada circuit court judge issued a pair of eyebrow-raising orders March 6th on proposed citizen ballot measures. One order UPHELD a proposed strict and possibly discriminatory voter ID initiative, and the other STRUCK DOWN a measure proposing a pro-voter independent redistricting commission.
The voter ID measure proposes changing the Nevada constitution to implement strict voter ID requirements, limiting the forms of ID which can be used, and requiring identification be added to absentee ballots. A voter sued, arguing Nevada does not provide free IDs, and requiring ID of all voters would amount to a poll tax, prohibited by the U.S. Supreme Court. The voter also argued that the language of the initiative did not provide funds to implement such a mandate.
The judge disagreed, saying the language satisfied the law and did not violate the state constitution’s prohibition of unfunded mandates, but did not appear to address the U.S. Constitutional concerns.
Another pair of ballot initiatives proposed constitutionally establishing an independent redistricting commission. Conservative voters sued, claiming the independent commission was an unconstitutional unfunded mandate. This time, the judge DID find the commission to be an unfunded mandate, and that the ballot initiatives may NOT appear on the ballot.
Appeals in both cases are likely.
We have details on both ballot measures, and the groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Nevada Independent – Judge allows Nevada voter ID ballot measure to move forward
Democracy Docket – Nevada Court Upholds Photo ID Ballot Initiative and Strikes Down Redistricting Initiatives
Repair the Vote – Proposed Ballot Measure Petition Language
NV First Judicial Circuit Court, via Democracy Docket – Decision in Voter Challenge to Voter ID Ballot Initiative
Fair Maps Nevada – Proposed Ballot Measure Petition Language
NV First Judicial Circuit Court, via Democracy Docket – Decision on Challenge to Fair Maps Nevada Ballot Initiative
Groups Taking Action:
Fair Maps Nevada, Let Nevadans Vote Coalition, ACLU Nevada
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