Voters Affected by Hawk Fire Urged to Update Mailing Addresses
As the Hawk Fire forces residents of Washoe County to relocate, those affected are encouraged to ensure their voting materials reach them by updating their mailing addresses. This step is crucial for voters expecting to receive their ballots via mail.
Election authorities emphasize the importance of contacting the Washoe County Registrar’s Office for updates if mail delivery is disrupted. George Guthrie, serving as the public information officer, explained that the United States Postal Service does not forward mail ballots.
“They absolutely need to change their mailing address so that way their mail ballot can get to them,” Guthrie stated. “Mail ballots are not forwardable.”
To ensure delivery, voters should provide the registrar with their current mailing address, which could be a temporary location such as a family member’s home, a PO box, or even an address outside Nevada.
Guthrie advised that voters keep their residential address unchanged if they plan on returning home. However, their mailing address should reflect their temporary residence.
For those unable to receive mail, the registrar’s office offers solutions. Guthrie mentioned, “One process that we do is something called a counter ballot, where we can create a ballot here in the office and provide it to them. That is available as soon as mail ballots go out for those that are displaced.”
Voters visiting the office for election materials do not need to present an ID, making the process more accessible.
Additionally, sample ballots and election-related information can be accessed through the county’s voter website.
For those preferring to vote in person, registered voters have the option to cast their votes at any election center during early voting periods or on Election Day.
