Counties told to take tax cap question off ballots

CARSON CITY -- The secretary of state's office on Wednesday directed county election officials to remove from their ballots Question 5, the proposal to cap property tax increases that has been ruled invalid by a judge.

Printing of ballots is getting under way now in Clark County for the November general election.

The memo from Matt Griffin, deputy secretary of state for elections, states that if some ballots already have been printed, such as absentee or sample ballots, further directions will be forthcoming on how to proceed.

The decision to direct the removal of the question from the ballots was made to comply with the ruling by senior Judge Charles McGee, who said Tuesday that the California-style property tax measure was flawed. The secretary of state's office previously had approved the measure for the ballot.

The Nevada State Education Association challenged that decision and McGee ruled in the group's favor.

An appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court is expected.

Joel Hansen, the attorney for the tax cap group, said he also would seek a stay from the high court to keep Question 5 on the ballot while the McGee decision is on appeal.

Griffin said in the memo that his office has been in contact with the Supreme Court, and no documents had yet been filed in the tax cap matter.

Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.