In a recent Senate Committee on Finance meeting, the air was charged with passion as educators and advocates voiced their concerns about voter suppression in Nevada. Alexander Marks, representing the Nevada State Education Association, emphasized that voter suppression is not a relic of the past but a pressing issue today. He pointed out that voter identification laws, often perceived as common sense, act as modern barriers to the ballot box, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, including Black, Brown, Indigenous, young, disabled, and rural voters.

Marks criticized these laws, likening them to historical barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests, arguing that they create unnecessary obstacles rather than solving any real problems. He urged the committee to reject Assembly Bill 499, asserting that democracy thrives on access, not exclusion. “This body has the opportunity to show why democracy works and why it matters,” he stated, calling for a collective effort to ensure that every voice is heard in shaping the future.

Lehi Murrieta, executive director of Make the Road Nevada, shared a personal story that resonated deeply with the committee members. He recounted the emotional moment he became an American citizen and the overwhelming desire to vote. Murrieta described his experience voting for the first time alongside his mother, highlighting the anxiety many new citizens feel about their right to participate in elections. “I represent thousands of voters who have that same fear,” he said, emphasizing the importance of making the voting process accessible and reassuring for all.

The discussions at the meeting underscored a critical moment in Nevada’s political landscape, as advocates rallied for a more inclusive democracy. With the potential implications of Assembly Bill 499 looming, the voices of educators and community leaders echoed a unified message: the right to vote must be protected and expanded, not restricted. As the committee deliberates, the future of voter access in Nevada hangs in the balance, reminding all of the vital role that every citizen plays in shaping their democracy.