Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON) Launches
Nevadans Called on to Serve as Election Observers Ahead of November General Election
NEVADA (September 9, 2026) – Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON), a nonpartisan election observation and civic engagement initiative with a mission to strengthen public trust in Nevada elections through informed, impartial observation, has launched in the Silver State.
At a time of political polarization in our state and country, NEON is committed to collecting and reporting timely and accurate independent information about election administration, without promoting the interests of any candidate, political party, or group. Instead, NEON seeks to ensure that all Nevadan voters can trust the elections and their outcomes.
Led by and for Nevadans and to ensure broad, diverse and meaningful participation in election observation statewide, NEON prioritizes outreach across urban, rural, and Tribal communities throughout Nevada.
Ahead of the general election in November, NEON plans to recruit, train and mobilize up to 200 Nevadans from Tribal communities and 17 counties within the state: Carson City, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe and White Pine. NEON will provide volunteers with training on Nevada elections, applicable laws, procedures, safeguards and observer responsibilities, to help them better understand how elections are administered before serving as election observers. NEON is also conducting a pilot accessibility audit to gather structured data on accessibility measures taken to provide equal access to voting rights for individuals with disabilities.
Nevadans interested in applying for an election observer role can visit neonelections.org.
Election observers will be stationed at locations where election operations occur, using standardized questions and checklists to systematically and objectively document what they observe. Their observations will focus on the conduct of the election rather than its outcome. Information gathered by election observers will be collected, aggregated and analyzed to inform an official public assessment about the quality of the election process that is grounded in facts and evidence.
NEON is steered by a cross-partisan advisory board that brings together Nevada leaders with experience in elections, journalism, Tribal communities, philanthropy, and civic engagement. Advisory board members said:
“What The Carter Center is doing by supporting the creation of the Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON) is to give Nevadans an opportunity to participate and observe firsthand our election process. Democracy will only be strengthened by paying closer attention to how we conduct our elections in the Silver State” –NEON Advisory Board Member and Reno Gazette Journal Sunday columnist Pat Hickey.
“I’m proud to serve on the NEON board and bring a rural and Tribal perspective to the decisions we make. Having diverse voices represented at the table is important as we work together on issues that impact communities across Nevada.” –NEON Advisory Board Member and Public Relations Manager for the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe.
For those interested in learning more about NEON or becoming a NEON Election Observer, visit neonelections.org. Information about NEON can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON)
The Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON) works to promote greater understanding and transparency around Nevada’s election processes through nonpartisan observation and civic engagement. Through its volunteer program, NEON provides Nevadans with the knowledge and training needed to observe election operations objectively and without interference. The organization’s work is focused on the conduct of elections and providing fact-based information to help communities better understand how elections are administered. The Nevada Election Observation Network (NEON) is technically and financially supported by The Carter Center. Information about NEON can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
