Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
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aSSeSSment:<br />
are VoterS ProteCted?<br />
hoW IS <strong>the</strong> Challenge reSolVed?<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> muSt a Challenger do<br />
to FIle a Challenge?<br />
Who Can Challenge<br />
BeFore eleCtIon day?<br />
St<strong>at</strong>e<br />
unS<strong>at</strong>ISFaCtory<br />
Missouri should adopt provisions to<br />
protect voters from wrongful pre-<br />
Election Day challenges. They should<br />
require challenges to be in writing,<br />
under o<strong>at</strong>h, supported by evidence<br />
and based on personal knowledge.<br />
Hearings should be required before<br />
a registr<strong>at</strong>ion in cancelled, with <strong>the</strong><br />
burden of proof on <strong>the</strong> challenger.<br />
Voters should be able to vote after<br />
affirming <strong>the</strong>ir qualific<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>at</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> polls. Filing a frivolous charge<br />
should be a misdemeanor.<br />
Missouri law lacks a step-by-step process for<br />
pre-election challenges.<br />
Local election authorities are required to investig<strong>at</strong>e<br />
voter qualific<strong>at</strong>ion m<strong>at</strong>erial brought<br />
to <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>at</strong>tention <strong>at</strong> any time in any manner<br />
<strong>the</strong> local election authority directs. Investig<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
“may” be deferred until after an election<br />
if raised within ten days of Election Day.<br />
REV. STAT. MO. § 115.191<br />
Missouri law lacks a step-by-step<br />
process for pre-election challenges.<br />
However, election authorities have<br />
broad authority to investig<strong>at</strong>e residence<br />
or o<strong>the</strong>r qualific<strong>at</strong>ions of any<br />
voter <strong>at</strong> any time.<br />
REV. STAT. MO. § 115.191<br />
mISSourI Election authorities are<br />
required to investig<strong>at</strong>e<br />
m<strong>at</strong>erial brought to <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>at</strong>tention<br />
“from any source”.<br />
REV. STAT. MO. § 115.191<br />
S<strong>at</strong>ISFaCtory<br />
Nevada law is good in th<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> challenges<br />
must be signed and in writing,<br />
and based on personal knowledge.<br />
Also, notice to <strong>the</strong> challenged<br />
voter is required. It is very good th<strong>at</strong><br />
challenged voters can resolve <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
challenge <strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> polls and vote upon<br />
affirming <strong>the</strong>ir qualific<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
Nevada laws could be improved by<br />
requiring challengers to submit <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
claims under o<strong>at</strong>h, and making frivolous<br />
challenges a misdemeanor.<br />
Within 5 days of a filed challenge, <strong>the</strong> county<br />
clerk must mail a notice to <strong>the</strong> challenged<br />
voter.<br />
The voter may still vote in <strong>the</strong> upcoming election,<br />
but a failure to respond, and a failure to<br />
vote before <strong>the</strong> second general election after<br />
<strong>the</strong> notice is mailed, will result in <strong>the</strong> registr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
being cancelled.<br />
NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 293.547<br />
If <strong>the</strong> challenge concerns residency, <strong>the</strong>n proof<br />
of residence must be demonstr<strong>at</strong>ed to be able<br />
to continue to vote. O<strong>the</strong>r challenges require<br />
<strong>the</strong> voter to swear or affirm, under penalty of<br />
perjury, inform<strong>at</strong>ion concerning <strong>the</strong>ir eligibility<br />
to vote.<br />
NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 293.303<br />
Challenges must be in writing,<br />
signed by <strong>the</strong> challenger, include <strong>the</strong><br />
grounds for challenge and must be<br />
based on “personal knowledge.”<br />
Written challenges must be submitted<br />
after <strong>the</strong> 30th day but not l<strong>at</strong>er than<br />
<strong>the</strong> 25th day before any election.<br />
NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 293.547<br />
neVada Any registered voter may<br />
challenge <strong>the</strong> registr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
st<strong>at</strong>us of any o<strong>the</strong>r registered<br />
voter, provided both<br />
individuals are registered to<br />
vote in <strong>the</strong> same precinct.<br />
NEV. REV. STAT. ANN.<br />
§§ 293.303, 293.547<br />
34 • aPPendIx 1 | St<strong>at</strong>e Laws Governing Pre-Election Day Challenges