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Agenda Item
10. Recommendation to elect to use ballots, including mail ballots and return envelopes, purchased by the State, as authorized by NRS 293.2694, for the 2026 Primary and General election cycle. The State contract was awarded to ProVote Solutions as the statewide vendor. If the County elects to use the ballots obtained by the State, the State vendor will provide Washoe County with all ballots, including, without limitation, mail ballots, return envelopes, secrecy sleeves, I Vote Stickers, and voter instruction materials. If approved authorize the Registrar of Voters to provide written notice to the Secretary of State of Washoe County's intent to use ballots purchased by the State, as required by NRS 293.2694(2). Voters. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
Dear Washoe County Commissioners,
I am writing to expose a gaping hole in the voting ballot process that this Commission, the Registrar of Voters, and the State Deputy Secretary have failed to address. Signatures and other personally identifiable information (PII) related to voters must be protected as nonpublic data, in accordance with federal laws, and best practices for privacy and security.
Restoring privacy measures, such as sealing ballot return envelopes with privacy flaps and restricting access to signature images, is essential. These steps would align Nevada’s election practices with federal and international standards, uphold voter privacy rights, and bolster public confidence in the electoral system.
It is also concerning that Nevada’s election procedures lack adequate safeguards to control and limit access to signature images and other PII. The potential for unauthorized photographing, storage, and sale of signature data—especially via cell phone cameras—creates a serious vulnerability that can facilitate fraud and identity theft.
Signatures serve as a critical biometric identifier, and their exposure—whether on ballot return envelopes or other election mail—poses a significant risk of aiding and abetting identity theft and forgery. Unlike publicly accessible records, signatures are inherently unique and should be protected to preserve voter privacy and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Federal laws, including the Privacy Act (5 USC 552a) and statutes on identity theft (18 USC 1028), recognize signatures as sensitive data that warrant confidentiality.
In conclusion, protecting voter signatures and PII is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a fundamental step in safeguarding our democracy from evolving threats. I strongly advocate for policies that ensure signatures remain confidential and that election materials are handled with the utmost care to prevent misuse.
Sincerely,
Dear Washoe County Commissioners,
I am writing to expose a gaping hole in the voting ballot process that this Commission, the Registrar of Voters, and the State Deputy Secretary have failed to address. Signatures and other personally identifiable information (PII) related to voters must be protected as nonpublic data, in accordance with federal laws, and best practices for privacy and security.
Restoring privacy measures, such as sealing ballot return envelopes with privacy flaps and restricting access to signature images, is essential. These steps would align Nevada’s election practices with federal and international standards, uphold voter privacy rights, and bolster public confidence in the electoral system.
It is also concerning that Nevada’s election procedures lack adequate safeguards to control and limit access to signature images and other PII. The potential for unauthorized photographing, storage, and sale of signature data—especially via cell phone cameras—creates a serious vulnerability that can facilitate fraud and identity theft.
Signatures serve as a critical biometric identifier, and their exposure—whether on ballot return envelopes or other election mail—poses a significant risk of aiding and abetting identity theft and forgery. Unlike publicly accessible records, signatures are inherently unique and should be protected to preserve voter privacy and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Federal laws, including the Privacy Act (5 USC 552a) and statutes on identity theft (18 USC 1028), recognize signatures as sensitive data that warrant confidentiality.
In conclusion, protecting voter signatures and PII is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a fundamental step in safeguarding our democracy from evolving threats. I strongly advocate for policies that ensure signatures remain confidential and that election materials are handled with the utmost care to prevent misuse.
Sincerely,
Reva Crump, M.S.
Washoe County Resident