Vote Ballot Measures First!

Direct Democracy

Nevada is a ballot initiative state. This means that eligible voters not only elect representatives to make policy decisions during each biennial session held February-May in odd-numbered years. They also sometimes directly vote on public policy.

This direct democracy element of Nevada’s civic structure has a long and rich history, and voters need to know the important decision-making role they play in building and maintaining thriving communities. Data from recent elections shows that many voters don’t vote all the way to the end of the ballot. This incomplete voting creates an obstacle to realizing the equitable policies and thriving communities we desire.

Ballot Measures Matter Too

With so much happening in state and national politics, ballot measures can sometimes become an afterthought. Even so, these ballot measures have an important impact on our state policy landscape.

Making thoughtful and informed decisions about candidates for office is undoubtedly a critical component of your participation in our democracy. It is also important to research the measures at the bottom of your ballot. That’s where we can help! This voter guide is designed to help you understand the issues and learn about our Lutheran perspective on them. You are invited to share this guide with any family, friends and neighbors for whom it may be helpful, too.

Vote Faithfully!

The ELCA is a Public Church

As people of God, we believe in promoting faithful and non-partisan voter participation. All members of ELCA congregations are encouraged to use the rich faith-based resources of the church to guide their voting on measures that affect all people.

We Are the People of God

Scripture reveals God’s presence in all realms of life, including political life. Our church understands government as a means through which God works to preserve creation and build a more peaceful and just social order in a sinful world. The electoral process is one way in which we live out our affirmation of baptism to “serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus,” and “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.”

As people of God, we have been freed to love our neighbor, seek peace and justice, and care for God’s creation. Faith should inform not only our participation but also how we look at public issues and interpret what is happening in political life.

Nevada Ballot Measures

Nevada voters will have seven statewide ballot measures to consider this fall. Three are citizen initiatives; four were referred to the ballot from the state legislature. To pass into law as a state statute, a legislative bill or petition must be passed in one legislative session and two general election cycles. Five of these ballot measures will become state law if pass this cycle, while the other two, if passed, will be placed on the general election ballot in 2026.

LEAN takes positions only on those measures that relate to its policy priorities, as set forth in general in Matthew 25, to love and seek justice for “the least of these,” and ELCA social teaching via its Social Statements and Messages. Positions were adopted by the LEAN Policy Committee on September  25, 2024.

STATE QUESTION NO. 1

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Senate Joint Resolution No. 7 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove certain provisions governing the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education and its administration of the State University and certain federal land grant funds and to provide additional legislative oversight of public institutions of higher education through regular independent audits, without repealing the current statutory election process or other existing statutory provisions relating to the Board of Regents?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution by: (1) removing provisions governing theelection and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and requiring the Legislature to provide by law for the governance of the State University and for the auditing of public higher education institutions in Nevada; and (2) revising provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

A “No” vote would retain existing provisions of the Nevada Constitution governing the election and duties of the Board of Regents and its control and management of the affairs and funds of the State University and would not revise existing provisions governing the administration of certain funding derived under federal law and dedicated for the benefit of certain departments of the State University.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

STATE QUESTION NO. 2

Read the ELCA’s Social Statement on Education

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall Section 1 of Article 13 of the Nevada Constitution be amended to: (1) revise the description of the persons who benefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support?

A “Yes” vote would amend the Nevada Constitution to: (1) revise the description of the persons whobenefit from institutions that the State is required to foster and support;

(2) replace the term “institutions” with “entities”; and (3) add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

A “No” vote would retain the existing language in the Nevada Constitution and would not add entities for the benefit of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to the types of entities that the State is required to foster and support.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “People Living With Disabilities”:

The title of the 2010 ELCA social message, “People Living with Disabilities,” makes a significant point in identifying an emphasis on people who are living with disabilities, rather than categorizing some people as “handicapped” or “disabled.” The message challenges the common mindset that equates self-sufficiency and independence with freedom and humanity, often regarding or treating people living with disabilities as less fully human than others or as objects dependent on charitable care.

STATE QUESTION NO. 3

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which all voters may then rankthe remaining candidates bypreference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators?

A “Yes” vote would amend Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution to allow all Nevada voters the right to participate in open primary elections to choose candidates for the general election in which allvoters may then rank the remaining candidates by preference for the offices of U.S.Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, Attorney General, and State Legislators.

A “No” vote would retain the provisions of Articles 5 & 15 of the Nevada Constitution in their current form.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States”:

ELCA social teaching holds that all residents of the United States have a responsibility to make government function well—not to abandon our democracy but to engage it in a spirit of robust civic duty. For Lutherans, this responsibility is lived out as a calling from God, expressed in the discipleship described in our baptismal promises. It is based on our understanding of how God governs human society… U.S. Lutherans have learned that their neighbors are best served by a government in which supreme earthly power is held publicly by the people (a democracy) and they are governed by representatives chosen in fair elections in which each person is assured of their vote (a republic).16 Such consent requires government to allow the neighbors it serves to pursue their lives in a spirit of freedom. 

STATE QUESTION NO. 4

Amendment to the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 10 of the 81st Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Ordinance of the Nevada Constitution and the Nevada Constitution be amended to remove language authorizing the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment?

A “Yes” vote would prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

A “No” vote would maintain the current language authorizing the use of slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries”:

Drawing from the biblical witness to God’s wondrously rich forms of love and justice, we are compelled by a “holy yearning” to address the need for a change in public mindset and for dramatic reforms in policies and practices. This statement calls upon Christians to strengthen or take up ministries of compassion and justice. Drawing on evidence and data, it affirms some current efforts at improving the system while identifying numerous other reforms that urgently need implementation.

STATE QUESTION NO. 5

Amendment to the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955

Senate Bill 428 of the 82nd Session

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Shall the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955 be amended to provide an exemption from the taxes imposed by this Act on the gross receipts from the sale and the storage, use or other consumption of diapers?

A “Yes” vote would exempt child and adult diapers from the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

A “No” vote would keep the current provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act of 1955, the Local School Support Tax Law and certain analogous sales and use taxes.

STATE QUESTION NO. 6

LEAN POSITION: YES

Guiding Social Statement: “Human Health Care: Our Shared Endeavor”:

Health care is a shared endeavor. Just as each person’s health relies on others, health care depends on our caring for others and ourselves. Broadly speaking, the term “health care” encompasses the wide range of services used to treat symptoms or diseases or to maintain health. Patients and caregivers are more than consumers or providers; they are whole persons working together in healing relationships that depend on and preserve community. Although health care goods and services may be bought and sold, health care is above all an activity of caring that grows out of relationships of mutual responsibility, concern, and trust—and that cannot be reduced to a commodity.

Amendment to the Nevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-05-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to create an individual’s fundamental right to an abortion, without interference by state orlocal governments, whenever the abortion is performed by a qualified healthcare professional until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant individual at any point during the pregnancy?

A “Yes” vote would create a new section of the Nevada Constitution to establish a person’s constitutional right to abortion, so that a person can make decisions about matters relating to abortion and reproductive healthcare, without interference from state or local governments.

A “No” vote would keep the Nevada Constitution in its current form and would not impact the availability of abortion as a statutory right under Nevada law.

LEAN POSITION: NEUTRAL

Read a summary on the ELCA’s Social Statement on Abortion

STATE QUESTION NO. 7

Amendment to theNevada Constitution

Initiative Petition C-02-2023

CONDENSATION (Ballot Question)

Should the Nevada Constitution be amended to require voters to either present photo identification to verify their identity when voting in-person or to provide certain personal information to verify their identity when voting by mail ballot?

A “Yes” vote would amend Article 2 of the Nevada Constitution to require in-person Nevada voterspresent certain identification andmail ballot voters to provide certain information in order to cast a legal ballot.

A “No” vote would keep the NevadaConstitution in its current form.

LEAN POSITION: NO

Guiding Social Message: “Government and Civic Engagement In The United States” (see Question 3 explanation)