September 2018
NEVADA STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
There are six statewide ballot measures to consider. Two are constitutional amendments which were previously approved by the voters in 2016. Nevada state law requires that a measure be passed two times, in two even-numbered election years to become a state constitutional amendment. Question 1 and 4 were first approved by voters during the 2016 election.
Question 1. Marsy’s Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment
A “YES” vote supports this measure to add specific rights of crime victims, together known as Marsy’s Law, to the Nevada Constitution. This amendment would among other things, provide crime victims with specific rights including the right to be treated with fairness and respect and be free from intimidation, harassment and abuse throughout the criminal justice process. Also a victim is to be protected from the defendant and release of information about the victim is to be prevented. This measure is supported by Gov. Sandoval (R), Atty Gen. Adam Laxalt(R) and several other Republicans.
A “NO” vote opposes this measure. There is no organized opposition that we can identify.
Question 2. Sales Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products Measure
A “YES” vote supports this measure to exempt feminine hygiene products from state and local taxes. Since 1956, State law has required voter approval to exempt products from sales and use tax.
A “NO” vote opposes this measure.
As of September 2018, there were no committees registered in support or opposition to the measure.
Question 3. The Legislature to Minimize Regulations on the Energy Market and Eliminate Legal Energy Monopolies Amendment
A “YES” vote supports this constitutional amendment to require the Nevada Legislature to establish an open, competitive retail electric energy market, reduce energy market regulations and prohibit energy monopolies.
A “NO” vote opposes this constitutional amendment.
As of 2018, utility companies in Nevada are permitted to establish monopolies in their service areas. As of 2016, NV Energy controlled 90 percent of the state’s energy market. This model of regulated and state-imposed monopolies was originally established to incentivize electrical development for Nevada.
Question 3 was designed to prohibit electricity monopolies and place a guarantee in the Nevada constitution that energy customers have a right to choose their energy provider and generate their own for resale. If approved, the amendment would require the legislature to pass laws by 2023 establishing an open competitive retail electric energy market.
The measure would allow NV Energy or another firm to maintain a monopoly on the distribution grid or transmission lines.
The measures is supported by Atty Gen Adam Laxalt (R), Michael Roberson (R), Wes Duncan (R), Former Sen. Harry Reid (D), Nevada Resort Association, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Walmart, SolarCity and many others.
The measure is opposed by The Coalition to Defeat Question 3, The Nevada Mining Assoc., NV Energy, Nevada State AFL-CIO, Nevada State Education Assoc., IBEW and others. The opposition believes the measure if passed could benefit casinos but lead to immediate and severe increases in electrical rates for residential customers.
Question 4. The Medical Equipment Sales Tax Exemption Initiative
A “YES” vote supports this amendment requiring the state legislature to exempt from sales and use tax durable medical equipment, oxygen delivery equipment, CPAP machines, hospital beds, wheelchairs, mobility and other medical equipment prescribed for human use.
A “NO” vote opposes this amendment.
The measure was initiated in 2016 by The Alliance to Stop the Taxes on the Sick and Dying. The measure is opposed by the State Controller Ron Knecht (R) who believes a constitutional amendment is unnecessary and a similar law could be accomplished by the legislature.
Question 5. The Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative
A “YES” vote supports this initiative to provide for the automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
A “NO” vote opposes this initiative.
If passed, an individual who submits an application for or a renewal for a driver’ license or identification card or an address change at the Nevada DMV would have his or her information automatically forwarded to the Secretary of State and county clerk for voter registration. Citizens could be permitted to opt out of automotive voter registration.
The initiative is supported by IVote, a national PAC based in Washington DC whose aim is to “secure voting rights for all Americans”.
The initiative is opposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) who believes the initiative eliminates individual choice and may create unnecessary risk that unqualified person may unintentionally apply to vote, subjecting themselves to criminal prosecution.
Question 6. The Renewable Energy Standards Initiative
A “YES” vote supports this initiative to require electric utilities to acquire 50 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2030.
A “NO” vote opposes this initiative, thus keeping the existing requirement that electric utilities acquire 25 percent of their electricity from renewable resources by 2025.
This initiative is supported by Nevadans for a Clean Energy Future with their donor being NextGen Climate Action, founded by Tom Steyer. Also supported by the Sierra Club, Solar Energy Industries and various others.
There is no political action committee opposing the measure. In 2017, Gov. Brian Sandoval vetoed a bill that would also have increased the state’s standard to 40 percent by 2030.
Information contained within these pages was obtained from the website Ballotpedia. Voters should consider this and other sources to make an informed voting decision.