Nevada inactivates 138,367 voters, cancels nearly 177,000 registrations during 2025 roll maintenance ahead of 2026 elections
Nevada’s Secretary of State’s Office said it inactivated 138,367 voters and canceled 176,928 registrations across all 17 counties during voter-roll maintenance from Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026, preparing lists and security for the 2026 election cycle.
Key takeaways
- Scope: 138,367 inactivations and 176,928 cancellations statewide during Jan. 1, 2025–Jan. 7, 2026.
- Active rolls: Nevada reported 2,116,453 active registered voters as of Jan. 1, 2026.
- Major impacts: Clark County and Washoe County accounted for the largest shares of changes.
- Process & safeguards: Counties used ERIC and USPS National Change of Address data to identify likely moves and duplicates.
Main content
What happened and why
From Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026, county election officials across Nevada completed routine list maintenance that resulted in the inactivation of 138,367 voters and the cancellation of 176,928 voter registrations. Officials say the work updates rolls, improves election security and helps election administrators budget for ballots, poll workers and equipment ahead of the 2026 cycle.
How inactivation and cancellation work
Nevada’s list maintenance follows state and federal rules. Counties send notices to voters flagged by undeliverable mail, National Change of Address matches, cross-state data or prolonged inactivity. Voters who respond can confirm or update their information; those who do not respond may be inactivated. Inactive voters remain eligible to vote but generally do not receive mail ballots and may need to update information before voting.
Cancellations occur after a voluntary request, a confirmed move out of state, or two federal election cycles of inactivity without voting or response. Canceled voters can re-register if still eligible. County election officials lead the operations while the Secretary of State’s Office posts details and resources on its list maintenance page.
Tools and safeguards used
Officials used cross-state data sharing and federal address-change files to reduce errors. The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) helps identify voters who moved or registered elsewhere; the U.S. Postal Service’s National Change of Address file flags undeliverable mail. These measures aim to reduce duplicate registrations, strengthen election security and align resources with expected turnout.
County breakdown and specifics
The largest impacts were in Nevada’s most populous counties:
- Clark County: 66,194 inactivations; 141,142 cancellations.
- Washoe County: 44,659 inactivations; 25,466 cancellations (including some processed after a prior deadline).
- Examples from other counties: Lyon — 9,460 inactivations, 1,080 cancellations; Douglas — 4,085 inactivations, 1,746 cancellations; Elko — 3,281 inactivations, 2,673 cancellations.
- Very small counties saw minimal activity — e.g., Storey reported seven cancellations; Esmeralda reported none.
Full county-level detail is posted on the Secretary of State’s list maintenance webpage.
What officials say about election security
Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar: “Nevada’s elections are safe and secure thanks to the systems and processes we have in place. Keeping the voter rolls up-to-date is an important part of preparing for the upcoming election cycle. It ensures that all eligible Nevadans — and only eligible Nevadans — can cast a ballot, and helps election officials budget for ballots, poll workers and more. We are committed to protecting voter data and making sure Nevadans can make their voices heard this year.”
Voter guidance and next steps
Nevadans who wish to confirm registration status, update an address, or re-register should visit VOTE.NV.gov. Active voters usually receive mail ballots unless they opt out; inactive voters remain eligible but typically will not be mailed ballots automatically and should verify status before an election. Canceled registrations require re-registration to regain active status.
For assistance, contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (775) 687-VOTE (8683) or email nvelect@sos.nv.gov.
Timing, legal limits and the 90-day “quiet period”
Federal law imposes a 90-day quiet period before federal elections during which certain registration changes are restricted. Nevada’s primary is set for June 9, 2026; the quiet period begins March 11, 2026. The Secretary of State’s Office says the maintenance timeline was designed to comply with state and federal rules while allowing counties to prepare for the primary and general elections.
Implications for Utah
Nevada’s large-scale maintenance highlights lessons for neighboring Utah:
- Election security & public confidence: Regular maintenance via ERIC and USPS data is a common tool to reduce duplicates and stale registrations.
- Resource planning: Accurate rolls help counties plan ballots, poll workers and polling places; large changes affect printing and staffing forecasts.
- Voter outreach: Clear communications encouraging voters to verify registration can prevent surprises from inactive or canceled status.
- Policy comparison: Utah policymakers can review Nevada’s public messaging and legal compliance as a case study when weighing local list maintenance practices.
- Practical advice: Utah residents with Nevada ties should confirm where they are registered and re-register promptly if canceled.
Reporting and sources
This report is based on numbers and statements from the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office and reporting from local Nevada outlets. Full reporting and county-level breakdowns are available at:
Voters with questions or who want to check and update their registration can visit VOTE.NV.gov or contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (775) 687-VOTE (8683) or nvelect@sos.nv.gov.
