With National Voter Registration Month officially kicking off over the weekend, Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske took the opportunity to try and deceive Nevadans about her record on helping eligible voters gain access to the voting booth. Instead, it serves as a good reminder of Cegavske’s long history of trying to make it harder for Nevadans to vote. Let’s take a trip down memory lane:
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In September 2016, the Pyramid Lake Paiutes and Walker River Paiutes tribes sued Secretary Cegavske, along with two counties, for voter disenfranchisement and violation of the Voting Rights Act—the tribes won the case.
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In October 2016, a last-second change had to be implemented because Cegavske failed to bring Nevada into compliance with National Voter Registration Act requirements until the day before the deadline.
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In 2015, Cegavske lobbied the Nevada State Legislature to pass stricter laws and regulations to make it harder for voters to be able to cast their ballots.
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As a state senator, Cegavske:
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Voted against extending Nevada’s voter registration deadline.
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Voted against a bill to allow counties to create election day vote centers allowing voters additional voting locations.
Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Sarah Abel released the following statement:
“Secretary Cegavske has a proven track record of making it increasingly difficult for Nevadans to exercise their right to vote. All eligible Nevadans, regardless of their background or ZIP code, should be able to register to vote and cast their ballot free from burdens — but Cegavske has made it clear she disagrees. Cegavske may try to deceive Nevadans about her record now, but voters won’t soon forget the sinister voter suppression agenda she’s pushed for the past 21 years.”
