WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Republican National Committee (RNC) sued Democrat Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar for allowing certain non-residents who have never lived in the state to register and vote in Nevada elections.
"The
Republican National Committee escalated its election integrity efforts Friday
by filing a lawsuit against Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar,
challenging a state law that Republicans argue allows people who have never
lived in Nevada and, in some cases, have never lived in the United States to
register and vote in Nevada elections.
"The
lawsuit, filed by the RNC, the Nevada Republican Party, and Republican
Secretary of State nominee Jim Marchant, asks a state court to strike down what
Republicans call Nevada’s unconstitutional “never-resident voter” law. The
plaintiffs argue the policy directly conflicts with the Nevada Constitution,
which requires that eligible voters have actually resided in the state before
casting a ballot.
"According
to the complaint, current Nevada law allows certain overseas U.S. citizens who
have never established residency in Nevada to vote based solely on the prior
residency of a parent or legal guardian. Republicans contend that residency
cannot be inherited and that the state constitution requires voters themselves,
not their parents, to have lived in Nevada before becoming eligible to vote.
“'The
Nevada Constitution is clear,' the lawsuit argues. 'Voters must have actually,
as opposed to constructively, resided in Nevada.'
"The
lawsuit seeks both to invalidate the challenged provision and require Nevada
election officials to remove ineligible 'never-resident' voters from the
state’s voter rolls.
"RNC
Chairman Joe Gruters said the lawsuit is part of a broader effort to ensure
elections are decided only by eligible Nevada voters.
“'Nevada
Democrats are enforcing a policy that allows certain people who have never
lived in Nevada to vote in Nevada elections,' Gruters said. 'The RNC is taking
action to defend Nevada’s Constitution and ensure Nevada elections are decided
only by eligible Nevada voters.'
"Republicans
argue the case is about enforcing Nevada’s own constitutional residency
requirements rather than changing who may legally vote under federal law. They
point to language in Article II of the Nevada Constitution stating that
electors must have actually resided within the state before becoming qualified
to vote.
"The
lawsuit also continues a broader national legal strategy by the RNC.
"Over the past several
months, Republicans have filed similar lawsuits in North Carolina, Nebraska,
and Colorado challenging state laws that permit certain overseas U.S. citizens
who have never personally lived in those states to vote based on a parent’s
prior residency. Republicans point to a favorable ruling in North Carolina
while continuing to press similar constitutional arguments elsewhere."
