Two Nevada initiative campaigns submitted signatures for initiatives targeting the 2026 ballot.

If at least 102,362 signatures are found valid, the initiatives will be presented to the Nevada State Legislature. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, the proposed statute becomes law. If not, the law is submitted to voters at the next general election. However, upon the governor’s recommendation (and approval), the legislature may propose an alternative statute to voters. Proposed amendments proceed directly to a vote of the people, but must be approved at two consecutive elections.

In September, the Nevadans for Fair Recovery PAC submitted 206,313 signatures for an initiative that would limit the contingency fees attorneys can charge or receive in civil cases to 20% of any amounts recovered. In Nevada, most civil cases do not limit an attorney’s contingent fee percentages, however, in medical malpractice cases, attorney fees are limited to 35% of any recovery, and private attorney fees contracted to represent the state are limited to 25%.

Another campaign, A Teacher In Every Classroom PAC, submitted signatures earlier this week for an initiative that would exempt public school teachers and other certain education personnel from the prohibition on strikes. In 1969, Nevada passed a law making it illegal for local governmental employees, including public school teachers, to go on strike.

One other initiative, which would have established an annual cap on interest rates for certain loans including payday loans, had been cleared for signature gathering but did not submit signatures by the Nov. 20 deadline according to the Clark County Election Department.

Nevada is one of nine states with an indirect initiative process. The last time voters decided on an indirect initiative was in 2018, when voters approved Question 5 by 59%-40%, which provided for automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the DMV.

Two initiatives have already been certified for the 2026 ballot in Nevada. The initiatives were approved by voters on Nov. 5, 2024. Question 6, which would provide for a state constitutional right to an abortion, was approved by 64%-35%, and Question 7, which would require photo identification to vote, was approved by 73%-26%. Because the initiatives amend the state constitution, they require approval again in 2026 to take effect.

The next signature deadlines for initiatives targeting the 2025 odd-year ballot are as follows:

• Dec. 27, 2024: For Ohio indirect initiated statutes, the first round of 124,046 valid signatures must be submitted.
• Jan. 3, 2025: For Washington Initiatives to the Legislature, at least 324,516 valid signatures must be submitted.
• Jan. 23, 2025: For Maine indirect initiated statutes, at least 67,682 valid signatures must be submitted.