EDITORIAL: Election officials need to find answers to delays

Election night went swimmingly for Nevada Democrats. Not so much for many Silver State voters.

Once again, Nevada was late delivering vote totals. This has become an unfortunate trend. But while previous delays could be attributed to tight races and laws that allow mail ballots to be counted for four days after the polls have closed, this time was different. Many of those who voted in person in Southern Nevada encountered long lines and long waits as the day wore on. In fact, it was nearly midnight before the last voters cast their ballots. Nevada law prohibits releasing results until after the final votes have been registered on Election Day.

“Nevadans deserve better,” Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a statement, “and my team is ready to support Clark County officials and officials from any county willing to take ownership and confront these issues head on.”

But Mr. Aguilar offered few specifics. Nor was this simply a matter of resources and money — the go-to solutions for government officials when confronted with a public-sector failure. Turnout was on par with the 2022 midterm election. There were no long lines four years ago.

Some onlookers offered explanations for the problems, including a new process in Clark County that involves printing out a voter’s marked ballot for inspection. Sondra Cosgrove, a history professor at the College of Southern Nevada who has been involved in election reform efforts, told the Review-Journal that local election officials informed her that the process was taking longer than expected.

Other observers reported that their traditional polling place had fewer voting machines this year, leading to logjams.

Perhaps those at the Clark County Election Department should do a better job of assessing how these types of changes and “improvements” will influence Election Day operations.

Another likely factor was the sheer length of the ballot. In particular, Clark County voters were asked to make selections in 36 District Court or Family Court judicial races, including two dozen in which there was a candidate was running uncontested. This slowed down even those who used the mail option — the ballot went on for two pages.

What is the point of littering the ballot with those running absent opposition? “Let’s get them off the ballot,” former Clark County Registrar Larry Lomax told the Review-Journal. “They’ve won. If they get one vote, they win.”

Mr. Lomax is correct. Lawmakers should make that simple reform when they meet in Carson City next year. They should also consider earlier deadlines for mail ballots to ensure ballots are tabulated in a timely fashion, even in races that are highly contested.

As Mr. Aguilar noted, Nevadans deserve better.