Case Summary

On November 26, 2019, a Nevada voter filed a lawsuit against Fair Maps Nevada and Nevada’s Secretary of State challenging the language of Fair Maps Nevada’s redistricting commission ballot initiative measure as misleading and inaccurate, specifically its description as an “independent” body that would oversee the mapping of “fair and competitive electoral districts.” Plaintiff sought a judicial declaration the initiative language was not legally sufficient and an order requiring the language be rewritten to cure any deficiencies.

  • On January 2, 2020, the Carson City District Court issued an order ruling for the plaintiffs and proceeded to rewrite the initiative language itself.
  • On February 5, 2020, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court arguing the district court lacked authority to rewrite the initiative language on its own.
  • On July 24, 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s decision and dismissed any remaining issues as moot.

Case Library

Supreme Court of Nevada - Case No. 80563