The U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled 7 to 2 that President Trump’s executive order regulating mail-in ballots could not go into effect this close to the election.
The executive order would require states to implement a standardized design for mail-in ballot envelopes and upload voter eligibility data to a new online portal. The Postal Service could refuse to deliver ballots to states that didn’t comply.
Nevada has one of the highest shares of voter participation by mail-in ballot. According to a recent report to Congress, 44% of its voters opt to vote by mail.
Despite the decision, the back-and-forth among the administration, election officials, and the courts so close to the midterm election has confused many voters.
So what should voters expect as ballots begin to arrive in mailboxes?
"What we're telling voters to do is, if they choose to use a mail ballot, mail it a week before election day," Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar told KNPR's State of Nevada. "If you're going to hold it towards election day, drop it off at a polling location in one of the drop boxes."
However, that hasn't stopped the Trump Administration's Department of Justice from continuing investigations into alleged voting by non-citizens. Aguilar confirms his office has received subpoenas.
"We are continuing to work through our lawyers with the lawyers of the DOJ to ensure that we are in compliance with those subpoenas, but also, at the same time, standing our ground; we will operate within the law," he said.
As for what Nevadans need to know before they cast their ballot? Aguilar said voters can take comfort in knowing their ballots are in safe hands.
"We have 17 strong county clerks who do the job that we need them to do," he said. "They live in the communities in which they serve. They are our neighbors. They know what their voters want. They know what the voter expectations are. They're going to work really hard to deliver for that community and for that county."
Guests: Kate Reynolds, reporter, The Nevada Independent; Cisco Aguilar, Nevada Secretary of State
