Are noncitizens voting in significant numbers in Nevada?
NO
A statewide audit released in 2017 found that only three noncitizens had voted in Nevada’s 2016 election.
And amid allegations that thousands of noncitizens were on the voter rolls in 2020, the Nevada secretary of state determined that less than 5% of all people who used an immigration document to obtain an ID from the Nevada DMV in the five prior years had a voting history. Officials concluded it was plausible that those people had become naturalized before voting.
State and federal laws specify that a person’s affirmation is enough to establish citizenship for voter registration purposes. Voting or trying to vote as a noncitizen is a felony in Nevada.
A survey of elections officials in 42 counties nationwide (including in Nevada) reported just .0001% of votes cast in 2016 were suspected of noncitizen voting, according to the progressive policy group Brennan Center for Justice.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Nevada Secretary of State Secretary Cegavske Releases Details Regarding Ongoing Elections Investigation
Nevada Secretary of State Elections Integrity Violation Reports
State of Nevada Application for Driving Privileges or ID Card
Nevada Legislature NRS: CHAPTER 293
Brennan Center for Justice Noncitizen Voting: The Missing Millions
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