Advocates and Community Members Oppose both the Merit and the Strategy Behind the Amendment
CARSON CITY – Today, Nevada lawmakers heard a major proposed amendment to AB499. The amendment would require Nevadans voting in person to show ID before they can vote, or for mail ballots to include certain identifying numbers. The measure follows the initial passage of Ballot Question 7 in 2024, a separate voter ID measure that will require passage again in 2026 before taking effect.
Emily Persaud-Zamora, Executive Director of Silver State Voices, issued the following statement:
“To say that we are outraged, that the Nevada Legislature even considered voter ID today, with three days left in the session, is an understatement. As a coalition—and myself personally— we talk to Nevadans each and every single day about the issues that matter most to them, trying to understand what they need to thrive and live in dignity. Unequivocably, we know firsthand that this is going to be a disastrous policy for any type of voter. Whether you live in Elko, Henderson, Sparks, Jackpot, Pahrump, or Sandy Valley—having a policy that requires every Nevadan to present a photo ID will be an obstacle in exercising their constitutional right to vote. Voter ID is an attempt to solve a problem that does not exist. Our existing electoral system has multiple checks and balances to verify the eligibility of all voters. We urge the Nevada Legislature to reject this amendment.”
Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of ACLU of Nevada, issued the following statement:
“The fact that we are hearing a voter ID bill sponsored by Democratic leaders on the last Saturday of this legislative session isn’t just bad policy- it’s stupid policy rooted in deception and a concession to those who push voter fraud conspiracy theories while selling out the Democratic base. Every compromise isn’t a good compromise but “compromise” has become such a popular word among Democratic leaders that it’s become far easier to understand in recent times how many Democratic leaders would have voted if the Three-Fifths Compromise was put before them simply because the word “compromise” was included. We ask for courage from elected leaders time and time again. We have somehow ended up with Republicans and Temu versions of Republicans in office. Not exactly inspiring…”
Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:
“This last-minute amendment is not only flawed in substance, but deeply troubling in its timing. With similar voter ID laws showing substantial disenfranchisement of voters, it is impossible to endorse this amendment. Requiring voter ID when we currently have multiple checks and balances is unnecessary and potentially harmful to our democratic process. From married women to people of color, voter ID laws have been shown to make voting harder with little benefit to stopping the near-nonexistent problem of voter fraud. The evidence is clear: voter ID laws disenfranchise voters, specifically voters of color. At no point should a measure be put forth so swiftly that we cannot adequately critique it before it becomes law. Especially when that measure can disenfranchise substantial numbers of voters.”
Kerry Durmick, State Director of All Voting is Local Action Nevada, issued the following statement:
“Nevada has set the example in our country on how to expand voter access for all Nevadans over the past decade. However, this last-minute voter ID amendment in Assembly Bill 499 will do nothing but move Nevada backwards and harm eligible Nevada voters, from voters with disabilities to Nevadans with limited access to a DMV office, and more. Not only will this voter ID amendment disenfranchise eligible Nevada voters at the polls, but it will also incur millions of dollars in implementation costs, which is irresponsible given Nevada’s substantial budget deficit. This disappointing and reckless move harms our democracy and endangers Nevadans’ ability to vote. The legislature must not make rash decisions on such a critical issue, and let voters decide on this measure in November 2026.”
Quentin Savwoir, President of the NAACP Las Vegas, Branch #1111, issued the following statement:
“Today we watched our legislative allies roll back the advances that our foremothers and forefathers sacrificed their lives for to appease a Governor that has zero interest in protecting access to the ballot. While the aim of protecting our elections is a noble one, the reality is that Nevada has some of the safest, most integral and most accessible elections in the nation; AB499 jeopardizes the victories of yesteryear by embracing a falsehood perpetuated by extremists and people that aim to cripple our democracy. It is disappointing and a major setback for our movement.”
Laura Martin, Executive Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) issued the following statement:
“Our democracy is strongest when everyone’s voice is heard. Since 2019, Nevada has led the country in voter rights and accessibility thanks to the work of the Let Nevadans Vote Coalition. With one desperate amendment, submitted in the 11th hour of the legislative session, Nevada democrats are undoing more than a decade of voter protection and expansion. Regardless of the success of the question 7 ballot initiative, voter ID and other voter barriers have their roots in the Jim Crow South. Democrats must do more to govern and push back against wrong headed perceptions driven by misinformation that will disenfranchise the most vulnerable blocks of voters.”
Leo Murrieta, Executive Director with Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:
“This last-minute amendment is a deeply troubling development in Nevada’s voting landscape. Under the guise of compromise, lawmakers are putting forward a measure that risks disenfranchising thousands of voters—particularly working-class families, immigrants, communities of color, LGBTQ Nevadans, and married women whose documentation may not perfectly align. While provisions like ‘free ID cards’ may seem like a solution, they don’t account for the everyday realities people face—time off work, access to transportation, digital literacy.”
Kristee Watson, Executive Director of Nevada Conservation League, issued the following statement:
“A healthy environment depends on a strong, healthy, and accessible democracy — and voter ID laws disenfranchise Nevadans from fully participating in elections. We oppose this amendment and any measure that makes it harder for everyday Nevadans to access the ballot box.”
Taylor Patterson, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:
“Nevada has set the gold standard for what strong voting rights should look like. This amendment turns that progress on its head. It isn’t about stopping fraud. It’s about deciding whose voice counts and whose gets thrown out. Voter ID laws like the one in this amendment are designed to keep people out of the process, especially those in Tribal Nations, rural areas, and anyone who has always had to fight just to vote. You don’t protect democracy by making it harder to participate. You protect power by silencing the people. This isn’t reform. It’s voter suppression in plain sight.”
Falasha Parlin-Watson, Nevada Director with Care in Action & the National Domestic Workers Alliance, issued the following statement:
“It was extremely disheartening to witness those who’ve previously championed voters’ rights, having helped make Nevada one of the safest and most accessible states for voters, even consider this legislation which clearly undermines the very nature of those accomplishments. While voter fraud remains almost non-existent, voter ID requirements have been proven time and time again to disenfranchise lower income individuals, women, and those of color. The true intent of these measures could not be clearer!”
Eric Jeng, Executive Director of One APIA Nevada, issued the following statement:
“Restrictive voter ID requirements like those in the proposed AB499 amendment create unnecessary barriers that disproportionately impact immigrant and limited-English-proficient voters in Nevada’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
As seen in other states with similar practice, these ID validation processes are often inconsistent, confusing, and unevenly enforced across polling places, leading to voter disenfranchisement and reduced participation in our democracy.
Nevada already has strong safeguards in place to protect election integrity. This amendment only adds confusion and discourages participation. We urge our legislators to reject AB499’s proposed amendment and ensure our elections remain accessible, secure, and fair for all Nevadans.”
ABOUT VOTER ID LAWS RESULTING IN DISENFRANCHISEMENT: In 2021, Texas passed a voter ID law with similar provisions to the amendment attached to AB499, specifically around mail ballots. In March 2025, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez found that the provisions in the state’s 2021 voter security law, SB1, discriminate against voters with disabilities. During the trial pertaining to the law, one testimony indicated that over two million voters were disenfranchised due to ID restrictions. Additionally, a study from the Brennan Center found that the same Texas law made people less likely to vote for at least two years after having a mail ballot application or ballot rejected. Black, Latino, and Asian voters had their applications and ballots rejected at far higher rates due to incorrect or missing ID numbers than white voters.
SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
###
About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media. Learn more at https://battlebornprogress.