The Washoe County Registrar of Voters, Dan Burk, reminds all Washoe County registered votes that they are eligible to vote in the 2011 Special Election to fill a congressional vacancy in the Second Congressional District.

“The Special Election replaces a federal congressional representative for the State of Nevada. The Election is September 13 and is open to all registered voters in Washoe County,” states Dan Burk, Washoe County Registrar.

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 vote of the people. 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.

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 U.S. 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 or a New Voter’s Registration Application. The last day to register to vote by mail is Saturday, August 13th (postmarked). The last day to register to vote in person is Tuesday, August 23rd. The form is available online at: www.washoecounty.us/voters/forms.htm

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