A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a new Nevada law known as Senate Bill 406, which criminalizes attempts to influence election officials.
The bill, which amends existing law, prohibits individuals from using or threatening intimidation or undue influence to interfere with the performance of any elections official or retaliate against them.
A group of Nevada residents filed a lawsuit against the bill, which was signed into law in 2023 by Gov. Joe Lombardo (R). The residents argued that the law's lack of clarity in defining who qualifies as an election official could encompass election observers or members of the public legally permitted to observe voting at polling places.
If a ballot inspector feels intimated, or in the event that one confronts another ballot inspector outside the central ballot processing area, election office, or warehouse regarding perceived wrongful conduct with the intent to correct it, it could potentially subject the ballot inspector to criminal liability for intimidation or undue influence.
Nevada officials defended the bill and requested the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the residents did not demonstrate standing—the right to challenge the law—and failed to outline legitimate relief for the court to provide.
In a ruling dated April 8, U.S. District Judge Cristina Silva sided with the officials.
