Early voting begins Saturday in Washoe County

Voting centers around Washoe County will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, kicking off two weeks of early voting for the general election.

Absentee ballots can be completed and returned by mail or dropped off at one of the county's vote centers during early voting. Those who would like to vote in person can do so during early voting from October 19th to November 1st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Election Day, November 5th.

There are 24 in-person voting centers throughout the county, and voters can choose any voting center that is convenient for them. Voting centers have digital voting booths as well as ballot drop boxes for those who have already filled out their mail-in ballot and want to drop it off. There are also ballot drop boxes available at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Smoke Shop and Summerset Senior Living on Sharlands Avenue in Reno. You can find all locations on our websitein the sample ballot online or in the sample ballot mailed to each registered voter.

Washoe County is conveniently located Wait time tracker Its website shows in real time how long a voter can expect to wait in line. When voters arrive at a vote center, they begin at the drop-off point and use new voting pads to confirm their information and register. These new voting blocs provide registration information in real time, so there is no delay in confirming valid registrations. Learn what they are and how to use them Here.

Voting centers in Washoe County are accessible. The voting machines can be set to zoom or change the contrast of the screen. There are audio options for the visually impaired. Voters can use the ATI controller in conjunction with the audio ballot; The ATI controller is available with headphones, but voters can also bring their own headphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Other accessible devices such as paddles and sip-and-puff devices are also compatible with our voting machines, but the voter must provide these devices.

Washoe County Public Safety, the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office are working together to ensure a peaceful election process. Federal, state and local governments Regulations Ban election campaigning in polling stations. No campaign advertising or signs may be placed within 100 feet of vote centers. This includes talking to voters about candidates, distributing leaflets or using loudspeakers to spread information. In addition, election-related clothing or accessories are also prohibited in voting centers.

The Washoe County voting hall has an observation booth that allows up to eight people to observe voting at a time. Observers must register with the Registrar of Voters Office, and observers are rotated to ensure balance of party representation.

The public can also watch the polls on the county's live stream YouTube, which will go live when early voting begins on Saturday, October 19th. Four cameras are strategically placed to enhance observation of the mail-in voting process.

The wait time, turnout reports, polling locations, regulations and all other information can be found on the registrar's website. www.washoecounty.gov/voters.

Find out more in our frequently asked questions Here.

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