Nevada Governor Vetoes Bill Criminalizing False Presidential Electors
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed SB 102, a bill aimed at criminalizing the filing of false presidential electors in Nevada. This decision, made on June 2 during the last day of the legislative session, is part of Lombardo’s broader rejection of 32 bills.
SB 102 sought to establish a felony charge for creating or serving on a "false slate of presidential electors," carrying penalties of one to four years in prison and fines up to $5,000. The legislation was introduced in response to an incident from the 2020 presidential election when Nevada Republicans submitted an elector slate for Donald Trump, despite Joe Biden’s victory in the state.
Attorney General Aaron Ford has actively pursued legal action against the six individuals involved in the 2020 slate for submitting false documents. While Ford’s office maintains that no specific statute directly addresses the issue of false electors, they are relying on general laws applicable to such offenses. They are currently appealing a district court decision that deemed Clark County an inappropriate venue for the case while also pursuing charges in Carson City.
In his veto message to Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, Lombardo acknowledged the bill’s intent but expressed concerns over the broad powers it would grant to the Secretary of State’s office. He criticized the lack of timelines for investigations and definitive evidentiary standards, warning that it could lead to politically motivated enforcement, especially during presidential elections. Moreover, Lombardo pointed out that the bill might inadvertently criminalize symbolic protests, raising potential First Amendment issues.
This veto follows a similar decision by Lombardo in 2023, where he deemed the penalties too severe.
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