'Election Night is not results night:' Why it might take longer to count ballots in Nevada
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — As Election Day 2022 approaches, Nevada election officials and watchdog groups are reminding voters and observers to be patient when waiting for results because it may take a few days for tight races to be called.
The recent transition to a universal mail-in voting system means that mail ballots will continue to arrive at registrar's offices throughout the week of the general election.
In extremely close contests, the ballots that arrive after Election Day could prove to be the difference.
Election Night is not results night.
"We need to make sure our votes get counted which is going to take time and make sure that every single vote counts no matter what," said Kerry Durmick, Nevada state director of All Voting is Local.
According to the Washoe County registrar's office, ballots that are dropped off at a drop-off box by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must be counted, so long as they arrive at the registrar's office by 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day after the election.
Even on election night, results might not be posted before many people go to bed. That's because results will not be released until the last person in line in the state of Nevada has voted. If lines are exceptionally long, that could be hours after the polls close.
Washoe County interim registrar of voters Jamie Rodriguez said they abide by that rule so as to not disenfranchise voters still waiting in line.
"So that people are not dissuaded or discouraged from voting and if they are willing to stand in that line, they really ought to be able to vote and not believe that their vote matters any more or less than the person that was there at 7 a.m. when the polls opened," Rodriguez said.
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Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on Twitter and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.
