State Summary
Nevada statute does not provide for automatic recounts. A recount can be requested within three business days of the official canvass by candidates or voters. The deadline of completion is within 10 days of the request. There is no close vote margin required to request a recount. Recounts in Nevada are conducted by a mix of retabulation and electronic review.
Counting Method
Mix of retabulation and electronic review
“The recount must include a count and inspection of all ballots, including rejected ballots, and must determine whether all ballots are marked as required by law. All ballots must be recounted in the same manner in which the ballots were originally tabulated.” Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.404(3).
Initiating Mechanisms
Candidate-initiated
Voter-initiated
Close Vote Margin Options
Nevada statute does not provide for guidance on conducting recounts when there is a close vote margin.
Candidate-Initiated Options
Any apparently defeated candidate in any election may apply for a recount. The request is filed with the election official with whom they filed their declaration of candidacy. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.403(1). A recount for a given office can only be conducted once each election; the requesting candidate, or another apparently defeated candidate, cannot request that they be recounted again. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.405(4). Nevada law also provides for recounts during election contests initiated by candidates. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.423.
Timing: Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 293.403(1) & 293.405(3).
Voter-Initiated Options
Voters may request recounts for initiatives/questions
Voters may request recounts for initiative/questions
Any individual voter may file for a recount on any ballot question in any election. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.403(2).
Timing: See Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.403(2) & 293.405(3).
Cost for Candidate-Initiated Recounts
Payor of costs depends on outcome
Initiator pays deposit or bond before recount
Payer of costs depends on outcome of recount
The Secretary of State sets the rules for calculating the costs, but the actual estimate is made by the election official receiving the recount application from the candidate. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.403(3). These costs are outlined in Nev. Admin. Code § 293.375. If the party requesting the recount is determined to be the actual winner of the election, their deposit is refunded. If not, and the total cost of the recount is greater than their initial deposit, they may be required to pay the difference. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.405.
Cost for Voter-Initiated Recounts
Payor of costs depends on outcome
Initiator pays deposit or bond before recount
Payer of costs depends on outcome of recount
The Secretary of State sets the rules for calculating the costs, but the actual estimate is made by the election official receiving the recount application from either a voter or candidate. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.403(3). These costs are outlined in Nev. Admin. Code § 293.375.. If the party requesting the recount is determined to be the actual winner of the election, their deposit is refunded. If not, and the total cost of the recount is greater than their initial deposit, they may be required to pay the difference. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.405.
Challengers and Observers
Party/candidate/initiator may appoint observers; no guidance on challengers; recount is public
Statutes specify that recount must be public
Party/candidate or initiator has statutory authority to appoint observers
"The county or city clerk shall allow members of the general public [including candidates and their representatives] to observe the counting of the ballots.." However, they may not challenge ballots or interfere in any way with how ballots are counted. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293B.353. See also the Recount and Contest Guide, p.7.
A County Clerk/Registrar of Voters may request the Secretary of State to designate a representative to observe the recount. Nev. Admin. Code § 293.371.
Resources
Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 293 Elections
Nevada Revised Statutes Title 24 Elections
Nevada Secretary of State Elections
State of Nevada Recount and Contest Guide 2020