June 13, 2024 – The Nevada County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters is currently a co-defendant in a case that seeks to invalidate the results of Measure B in the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Measure B was a tax measure placed on the ballot by the City of Grass Valley. It was approved by 20 votes.
While it is not entirely clear at this early stage of the case, it appears to primarily rest on allegedly illegal votes cast by 39 voters registered within the City of Grass Valley—0.9% of the 4,400 total votes cast for that contest. The Contestant alleges that these 39 voters registered with addresses where they were not domiciled and that these votes, in part, resulted in Measure B passing.
All persons who seek to register to vote must complete a voter registration form—under the law, it’s called an affidavit of registration. When a voter signs the form, they attest to the truth and accuracy of all the information provided to the elections official, including their legal name, date of birth, residential address, and form(s) of identification. For the purposes of registration, residence is defined as domicile—in other words, where you live and intend to remain. While it’s possible to have more than one residence, you can only have one domicile at any point in time.
The Registrar of Voters does not have the resources to investigate every defect provided on a voter registration form. Our mission is to provide voters with assistance, education, and information. We recognize that often times, mistakes made on a voter registration form are innocent. When a mistake is obvious, we work with the voter so that they can make the necessary corrections. When mistakes are not obvious, it is the voter’s responsibility to let our office know that a correction is needed. We are always happy to work with all voters to answer their questions and concerns about how to register to vote.
While the Nevada County Registrar of Voters has no stake in the ultimate outcome of Measure B, we are fully cooperating with the parties and the Superior Court in the case. Election contests serve a vital public interest. Where an election result is questioned, they provide a judicial resolution to ensure that the will of the people was fairly, honestly, and legally expressed at the polls. We appreciate the Court’s efforts in this case and look forward to a swift and definitive decision.