November 20, 2020
Carson City, NV -
Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford released a statement regarding a suit to
throw out Nevada’s recent election results. The emergency injunction sought to
prevent Secretary of State Cegavske from certifying the results of the November
3rd general election, enjoin the presidential electors from casting their votes
for President on December 12, 2020, and prevent any Nevada candidate from
taking Office, based on the alleged unconstitutionality of Assembly Bill 4.
Instead, the Plaintiffs sought a new election, which would disenfranchise
Nevada's voters. Clark County District Court Judge Gloria Sturman held an
expedited hearing today and denied the plaintiffs’ request, ruling that the
plaintiffs failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits of the case.
“An attempt to throw out the entire election and the legal
votes of hundreds of thousands of Nevadans without legal justification undermines
our election process and our democracy,” said Attorney General Aaron D.
Ford. “Assembly Bill 4 was enacted because of the coronavirus pandemic and
proved to be successful in allowing thousands of citizens to vote and limit
their potential exposure to the virus. All evidence shows that Nevada’s
election was fair, safe, and secure, and time and again, the Court has agreed. Nevadans
voted and chose their president-elect. It’s time to move on.”
Background
Earlier this year and in light of the global pandemic, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance in advance of election
day encouraging mail-in voting methods to minimize direct contact between
voters and election workers and reduce crowding polling stations. In a Special
Legislative Session, Assembly Bill 4 was passed to send
mail-in ballots to every active registered voter in Nevada and create options
for Nevadans to vote in a manner consistent with public health concerns.
This is one of several election-related lawsuits filed by
Sharron Angle and the Election Integrity Project. The plaintiffs filed a
similar lawsuit on September 4, 2020, to prevent the election from taking place
under Assembly Bill 4. That suit failed at both the District Court level and
the Nevada Supreme Court.
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