Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoes bill to expand ballot drop boxes in Nevada

CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) - Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed Assembly Bill 306, a measure that would have required the expansion of mail ballot drop boxes in certain Nevada counties during the final days leading up to a general election.

In a letter addressed to Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, Lombardo outlined his reasons for rejecting the bill, citing concerns about election security and oversight.

“Nevada is already among the easiest states in the nation to cast a vote,” Lombardo wrote. “AB 306 appears to be well-intentioned but falls short of its stated goals while failing to guarantee appropriate oversight of the proposed ballot boxes or the ballots cast.”

The bill, passed during the 83rd Legislative Session, aimed to mandate that county clerks in certain areas establish additional ballot drop box locations between the final day of early voting and Election Day. It also authorized individuals to return a ballot on behalf of a voter under specific conditions and required the Secretary of State to set standards for securing and monitoring those drop boxes.

While supporters of AB 306 argued the measure would increase access and participation in Nevada’s elections, Lombardo said the legislation lacked the necessary safeguards to protect ballot integrity.

“I believe additional election reforms should be considered as part of a larger effort to improve election security, integrity, and allow Nevada to declare winners more quickly,” the governor stated.

Speaker Steve Yeager issued the following statement on Governor Lombardo’s veto of AB306:

“I am disappointed that Governor Lombardo vetoed AB306,” said Speaker Steve Yeager. “AB306 was a bipartisan measure aimed at ensuring that voters, especially working families, seniors, and those with disabilities, have secure and accessible ways to return their mail ballots between the end of early voting and election day, allowing election workers to count votes quicker. However, I remain committed to protecting Nevadan’s right to vote in a safe and secure manner and I look forward to working with Governor Lombardo over the waning days of session to find a mutually acceptable compromise.”