The Nevada Republican Party accused the Washoe County School District of restricting political speech at school polling sites on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The party said it received reports that the district was banning political speech and activity beyond the legally established 100-foot electioneering boundary at polling locations on WCSD properties, as first reported by KOLO 8 News Now. The party did not name specific schools or describe individual incidents.

Eight WCSD schools in Sparks and Spanish Springs served as vote centers on Nov. 3: Dilworth Middle School, Hug High School, Mendive Middle School, Reed High School, Sky Ranch Middle School, Spanish Springs High School, Van Gorder Elementary School and Whitehead Elementary School. Hug High and Spanish Springs High were designated "super centers" with 30 ballot-marking devices and 10 check-in stations each, according to 2 News.

All WCSD schools were closed on Nov. 3 in observance of Election Day and to allow facilities to be used as polling locations where applicable, the district said on X. District administrative offices remained open on their normal schedules.

In a statement reported by KOLO, the Nevada Republican Party called on the district to allow "peaceful, lawful political activity." The party said the district's position "apart from being unsupported under Nevada law, abridges these constitutional rights and unnecessarily silences Nevada voters on both sides of the aisle."

The party also made a similar accusation against the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, KOLO reported.

WCSD says ban covers all school property

WCSD told KOLO that political activity is prohibited on school district property and school campuses. The district noted that while classes were not in session on Nov. 3, staff were on site for professional development.

The party's complaint centers on the gap between state law and the district's policy. Under Nevada Revised Statutes 293.740, electioneering is prohibited inside a polling place and within 100 feet of the building entrance. The law defines electioneering as posting political signs, distributing political literature, using loudspeakers for political messages, wearing or displaying political badges or buttons, and soliciting petition signatures.

The Nevada Republican Party argued in its statement that the district's position lacks support under Nevada law. WCSD has not publicly cited a specific policy or legal authority for the broader ban, according to KOLO's reporting.

Washoe County Registrar Andrew McDonald, at a Nov. 2 press conference, asked voters to come prepared to vote securely and privately, 2 News reported. Vote centers across the county were open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.