Early voting for the 2026 General Election is officially underway in Washoe County, with 18 vote centers opening today, Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. Vote centers will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 30, providing voters with 14 days to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day.
“Why wait in line on Election Day when you can vote early?” Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald said. “Early voting has historically meant shorter lines and shorter wait times. With 18 locations open every day for the next two weeks, I have just three words for voters: Don’t Wait, Washoe.”
As part of the Registrar of Voters’ “Don’t Wait, Washoe” campaign, voters are encouraged to plan ahead and take advantage of early voting. A complete list of locations and an interactive map displaying wait times are available at washoecounty.gov/votecenters.
The Registrar of Voters reminds residents that Washoe County no longer uses traditional precinct-based polling locations. Instead, the County uses a vote center model, allowing voters to cast their ballot at any vote center throughout Washoe County, regardless of where they live. Voters are not assigned to a specific location and may choose whichever vote center is most convenient for them.
Among this year’s early voting locations is the return of community favorite Reno Town Mall, which will be available exclusively during early voting and will not be open on Election Day. Located at 4001 S. Virginia St. in Reno, the location will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 30.
Voters casting their ballot in person will use Washoe County’s new ballot marking devices, introduced during the 2026 Primary Election. After checking in, voters receive a card to activate their ballot on a touchscreen device, where they can make selections in English or Spanish, review their choices and print a paper ballot to cast into a vote center scanner. Election workers will be available at every vote center to assist voters, and those looking to familiarize themselves with the process ahead of time can watch the Registrar’s ballot marking device tutorial video.
For voters who wish to drop off their mail ballot, staffed drop boxes are available at all 18 early voting locations during operating hours, with two additional standalone locations at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s Pyramid Smoke Shop and Summerset Assisted Living. No check-in is required to drop off a ballot. The Registrar of Voters encourages voters to return their mail ballots early, giving election staff more time to process and count them ahead of Election Day. The first unofficial Election Night results, released after polls close statewide, will include all early voting results and mail ballots processed by that time.
All Washoe County vote centers offer accessible voting equipment, including audio ballots, large-print displays and other features to assist voters with disabilities. Voters requiring accessibility assistance may skip the line by notifying a vote center greeter upon arrival. ADA Curbside Voting is also available at every location, allowing voters with disabilities to check in, mark and cast their ballot from their vehicle with assistance from election workers.
Voters are also reminded that Nevada law prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of the entrance to an early voting area. This includes campaigning for or against candidates, political parties or ballot questions, as well as displaying campaign materials related to the current election.
Eligible residents who have not yet registered to vote, or who need to update their registration, can also take advantage of Nevada’s same-day voter registration process at any vote center during early voting or on Election Day. Voters using same-day registration must present a valid, unexpired Nevada driver’s license, Nevada identification card or qualifying tribal identification card. Additional proof of residence may be required if their identification does not reflect their current address.
Voters can also prepare ahead of time by reviewing their sample ballot. While the mailed sample ballot includes all contests throughout Washoe County, voters can view a personalized digital sample ballot showing the specific candidates and contests that will appear on their ballot at washoecounty.gov/sampleballot.
The Registrar of Voters office will also offer extended public service hours throughout the election to assist residents with registration, replacement mail ballots and other election-related questions. The office will be open daily, including weekends, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 30, with additional weekend hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov. 7-8.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, when 41 vote centers will be open throughout Washoe County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.
For more information about voting options, registration or assistance with the upcoming election, contact the Washoe County Registrar of Voters at 775-328-3670 or visit washoecounty.gov/voters.
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