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Bill

AB 261

Revises provisions relating to voter registration. (BDR 24-360)

2025 Regular Session

AB 261 lets voters update a disputed mail-ballot signature during curing and shifts AVR notice mailing from county clerks to the Secretary of State.

(No further action taken.)
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Bill Summary · AB 261

AB 261 (BDR 24‑360) — Summary (Introduced Jan 16, 2025)

Status: Introduced Jan 16, 2025; Passed Assembly May 29, 2025; Referred to Senate. In committee: Held under submission (Aug 29, 2025). No further action taken.

Main purpose

AB 261 revises Nevada law governing voter registration procedures to (1) create a routine opportunity for voters contacted about a disputed mail‑ballot signature to update their registration signature, and (2) shift responsibility for mailing certain automatic‑registration notices from county clerks to the Secretary of State. The measure is intended to reduce signature‑verification problems that lead to ballot curing and potential disenfranchisement, and to centralize a portion of the notice process for automatic voter registration (AVR).

Key provisions

  • Signature updating during ballot curing

    • When a county or city clerk contacts a registered voter because there is a reasonable question whether a mail‑ballot signature matches the signature on file, the clerk must affirmatively ask whether the voter wants to update the signature in the clerk’s voter registration records.
    • Unless the voter affirmatively declines, the voter is deemed to have consented to the update and any signature the voter provides during the curing contact becomes the voter’s official registration signature.
    • The Secretary of State may adopt regulations needed to implement this section.

  • Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) notice

    • Under current law, when an AVR agency (e.g., DMV) transmits a registration transaction and the county clerk determines eligibility, the county clerk mails a notice to the registrant.
    • AB 261 transfers the duty to mail that AVR notice from the county clerk to the Secretary of State. The notice includes options for party affiliation, and the ability to decline registration or an update.

  • Conforming and technical changes

    • The bill makes conforming changes to statutory provisions related to updating the statewide voter registration list and the AVR process (text truncated in materials).

Who is affected

  • Voters who cast mail ballots (particularly those whose signatures have changed over time due to disability, age, or other reasons) — easier opportunity to update registration signatures during curing.
  • County and city clerks — new affirmative duty to ask about signature updates when contacting voters and implementation responsibilities.
  • Secretary of State — new duty to send AVR notices and authority to adopt implementing regulations.
  • Election administration budgets — the bill was identified as containing an unfunded mandate and “may have fiscal impact.”

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 16, 2025; passed Assembly (Ayes 70, Noes 0) May 29, 2025; sent to Senate and referred to Senate committees.
  • Referred and considered by various committees; last recorded action: held under submission in committee on Aug 29, 2025.
  • Fiscal note / policy considerations: legislative documents note potential state and local fiscal effects and label provisions as containing an unfunded mandate.

Support and concerns (as reflected in submitted testimony)

  • Supporters (election‑access and civic groups) argue the bill will reduce ballot rejections and make curing and signature records more accurate, helping voters with signature changes (e.g., from disability or aging).
  • Opponents (some county officials / commenters) express concern about centralizing authority with the Secretary of State and shifting responsibilities away from elected county clerks, citing accountability and administrative control issues.

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

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