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AB 367

Makes various changes related to language access in elections. (BDR 24-364)

2025 Regular Session

AB 367 requires the Secretary of State to provide election materials in multiple languages and ASL, offer toll-free interpretation, appoint a language access coordinator, and ensur

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 212.
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Bill Summary · AB 367

AB 367 — Language Access in Elections (BDR 24-364)

Status: Approved by the Governor and chaptered into law (2025). Introduced: Feb 3, 2025. Sponsor: Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections.

Purpose

AB 367 codifies and expands language-access services for Nevada elections. Its aim is to ensure voters who are limited-English-proficient (LEP), speakers of languages other than English, and members of the Deaf/hard-of-hearing community can access election information and receive interpretation/translation assistance.

Key provisions

  • Definitions
    • Defines “voting materials” to include registration forms, ballots (including mail/sample/provisional), voting instructions, polling-place information, ballot questions, election forms, and any materials the Secretary of State (SOS) requires to be translated.
  • Website translations & posting
    • Requires the SOS to ensure voting materials and other election information posted on the SOS website are available in any language required under federal law (52 U.S.C. § 10503) and in American Sign Language (ASL).
    • If fewer than seven languages are required federally, the SOS must nonetheless post materials in at least the seven most commonly spoken languages in Nevada plus ASL.
    • If a language lacks a standard writing system, required materials may be posted as audio recordings. SOS should use translators certified in the specific language if available.
  • Telephone interpretation service
    • SOS must establish a toll-free number providing interpretation/translation assistance for election-related questions in the 200 most commonly spoken languages in the State and ASL. SOS must post the number on its website.
  • Language Access Coordinator
    • SOS must employ a language access coordinator (a classified state position) to oversee implementation.
  • Accessible voting assistance
    • A registered voter with a physical disability may use a mobile device to access interpretive services (including ASL) to assist in casting a ballot.
  • Bilingual English–Spanish requirement
    • SOS must ensure all elections-related communications and information are made available in English and Spanish.

Who is affected

  • Voters with limited English proficiency and speakers of non-English languages statewide.
  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing voters who use ASL.
  • Office of the Secretary of State (administration, translation services, hotline, and coordinator).
  • Counties and local election officials only to the extent previously established federal obligations require translations (the final enacted bill removed or narrowed some earlier local mandates and unfunded local requirements).

Implementation, timing & fiscal notes

  • The bill places administrative duties on the Secretary of State (website translations, hotline, hiring a coordinator); it directs SOS to use certified translators where feasible.
  • Fiscal effects: the bill was evaluated as having an impact on state operations (state cost for coordinator, hotline, translation work). Earlier drafts identified possible local fiscal impacts; subsequent amendments removed several unfunded local mandates and narrowed local obligations.
  • Legislative process highlights: introduced Feb 2025, amended through committee and floor amendments, and enacted in 2025.

Notable amendments & stakeholder input

  • A conceptual amendment and later reprints narrowed the bill’s scope from multiple local mandates to primarily SOS responsibilities, codifying existing voluntary services (website translations and tele-interpretation) and funding a coordinator.
  • Supporters (e.g., Campaign Legal Center, disability and voting-rights advocates) argued the bill converts voluntary SOS services into durable statutory protections to improve ballot access. Opponents raised concerns about costs and argued some provisions overlap or conflict with federal eligibility/threshold rules.

If you want, I can extract the final enacted statutory text sections (NRS changes) or prepare a one-page brief summarizing implementation steps SOS will likely take (staffing, vendor contracts, timeline).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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