Legal News

Court of Appeals Rejects Lawsuit Against Nevada’s “none” Option in Ballots
Download PDF
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

In 1976, Nevada gave its voters the unique choice to cast their ballots for “none” if they did not like any of the candidates trying to wrest the electorate. The Nevada Legislature passed the option following the Watergate scandal, and to tackle voter apathy.

The measure, which allows voters to voice their disagreement about all candidates in any election, includes presidential elections, U.S. Senate elections and elections of state constitutional offices as well as that of the Nevada Supreme Court.

  
What
Where


It seems voters in Nevada are quite often displeased with all candidates present before them as options and frequently choose to cast their vote as “none of these.” Though the “none” option cannot win, even if it receives the most votes, it can decide outcomes.

Republicans brought a lawsuit last year arguing “none” disenfranchises voters because such choices have no legal standing in the outcome of a vote.

On Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the matter ruling the plaintiffs had no legal standing to bring the lawsuit. The lawsuit had earlier been rejected in a federal appeals court, but the plaintiffs had appealed.

Get JD Journal in Your Mail

Subscribe to our FREE daily news alerts and get the latest updates on the most happening events in the legal, business, and celebrity world. You also get your daily dose of humor and entertainment!!




Though the “none” vote is not known to have made big impacts on presidential or other vital elections, it does often play a part in local politics. In 1998, Republican Rep. John Ensign lost to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid by only 428 votes, while the ballots showed at least 8, 000 voters had opted for “none” and rejected both candidates. If even 5 percent of those voters who cast “none” had voted for Ensign, the Republican could have won.

Last year, Democrat Shelley Berkley failed to win the U.S. Senate race against Republican Sen. Dean Heller. Berkley lost by 12,000 votes, but 45,000 voters disliked both candidates and opted for “none.”



Nevada’s Secretary of State, Ross Miller, welcomed the ruling and said, “Voters who want to express their dissatisfaction with the federal and statewide candidates on the ballot should have the option and freedom to do it.”



 

RELEVANT JOBS

Associate Attorney

USA-PA-Exton

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY McKenna Snyder LLC, a law firm in Exton, PA has an immediate opening for an ex...

Apply now

Attorney

USA-MI-Sturgis

Qualifications: HaasCaywood is seeking associate attorneys for our Coldwater and Sturgis, Michiga...

Apply now

Attorney

USA-MI-Coldwater

Qualifications: HaasCaywood is seeking associate attorneys for our Coldwater and Sturgis, Michiga...

Apply now

Insurance Defense Trial Attorney/ Senior Counsel

USA-CA-San Francisco

Job description Trial Attorney - Personal Injury Defense Full Job Description Hickey Smith ...

Apply now

BCG FEATURED JOB

Locations:

Keyword:



Search Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with ...

Apply Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-Carlsbad

Carlsbad office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with 4-...

Apply Now

Education Law and Public Entity Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law and public ent...

Apply Now

Most Popular

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

To Top