At its regular meeting on June 28th, 2011, the Board of Washoe County Commissioners heard a presentation on proposed administrative changes from Registrar of Voters, Dan Burk, as he prepares for the 2011 Special Election. The administrative changes will save Washoe County $136,000.

The Special Election is necessary due to Governor Sandoval’s appointment of U.S. Congressman Dean Heller to the U.S. Senate seat that was vacated upon the resignation of Senator John Ensign. This resulted in a vacancy in the Second Congressional District seat to be filled for the remainder of the current term (i.e. until the 2012 General Election). Both the U.S. Constitution and Nevada law require a Congressional vacancy to be filled through a special election if necessary. Consequently, Governor Sandoval established Tuesday, September 13, 2011, as the date for a Special Election to fill the vacancy in the Nevada Second Congressional seat.

“The administration of the 2010 Primary Election in Washoe County cost $414,000” explained Burk. “In light of the current budgetary challenges facing the County, these administrative changes will save money, while ensuring that all voters have ample opportunity to participate in the election.” The Special Election is projected to cost $279,000, which is 30% less than the 2010 Primary Election.

Administrative changes include: • Reducing the Election Day polling places from 95 to 68 • Reducing the poll workers from 570 to 450 • Reducing Early Voting Locations from 14 to 12 • Reducing Total Voting Hours from 1370 to 885 • Printing Sample Ballots in-house

Voter Registration: Registrar Burk also reminds voters if you have moved recently or changed your name, you will need to re-register to vote. Many voters mistakenly assume that once they have notified the US Post Office or Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles of their move, that this also changes their voter registration information. If you have moved, but haven’t re-registered with Washoe County, you will not receive a sample ballot. You can re-register by mail, in-person at the Registrar of Voters Office, located in the Washoe County Administration Complex on Ninth Street in Reno or at a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles location by completing the Change of Address for Voters form. In addition, the Change of Address for Voters form is available online at: www.washoecounty.us/voters/forms.htm

To view your voter registration information, simply visit: www.washoecounty.us/voters and click on the Your Voter Registration Status link on the left-hand side or call 328-3670.