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Primary Election 2020: The Mail Ballot
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 The primary election this year is June 9, 2020, and has been switched to mail ballots only. With so many businesses closed and so many people out of work because of the pandemic, it is highly likely that there will be a tax revenue shortfall in the next state budget. It is important that we have the ear of our elected officials in the time before the next legislative session. We want them to have an opportunity to become educated on how their policies impact the real estate industry before they consider raising our taxes or fees. One of the strongest ways to ensure that we are part of the conversation at the Legislature is to make sure that REALTORS® show up and vote.
Click here for a list of REALTOR®-Friendly Candidates in the NVR Voter Guide.
The switch to an all-mail election presents an opportunity for groups that are organized to turn their voters out to the mailbox at a higher rate than the general public. High voter turnout rates will be one of the most valuable assets we have going into the 2021 legislative session.
What REALTOR® members can do to increase the voter turnout of their fellow industry members:
- Get registered to vote! You may register to vote until May 12 and still be able to receive a mail ballot. You can continue to register to vote after that date, but they may not be able to get you a ballot in time for election day. You can register to vote 24/7 at www.RegisterToVoteNV.com.
- Utilize the professional structure of your organization to communicate. Encourage department, division, section, and team leaders to take responsibility for "turning out" their voters to the mailbox. It all starts with a team of three all agreeing to send in their ballots and then reporting it up the line.
- Professional associations, companies, and individual members can easily create pro-voting banners to be shared on their social media pages and be e-mailed to their contact lists, encouraging their peers to send in their mail ballot.
- Encourage peer-to-peer turnout programs that utilize a personal appeal, and repeat your voter turnout message. 80% of voters don't usually vote in primaries, so it will take 5-8 contacts with a voter turnout message to penetrate the electorate in any meaningful way.
- More contact is better. Repeating the message to send in their ballot will not drive away any voters, and for those that usually ignore primary elections, it may spur them to take action.
- Remind your network that is very important that you and other members of your industry vote. A high turnout rate may be what convinces an elected official to listen when they consider an industry specific tax next year. Elected officials represent voters in their district.
How will the mail ballot primary election work?
- A ballot will be mailed to you in the first week of May. Please complete and return it immediately. The faster you vote, the less time and money our association will have to spend making contact with you to encourage you to turn in your mail ballot. You could also lose it if you leave it laying around. I vote immediately because I would lose it.
- However, if you tend to procrastinate, it can be postmarked all the way up to election day, June 9. No postage is required. Ballots postmarked after June 9 will not be counted.
- You MUST sign the ballot envelope, and your signature will be compared with the one on file with the election department. If you fail to sign your ballot envelope, or if the signature does not match, the elections department will attempt to contact you by phone or by mail to correct the issue.
- You are not required to fill out every single office and vote in every race. You can just vote in the races where you have an opinion.
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REALTOR® Magazine: Your Guide to PUA Benefits
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States are working overtime to get Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits to the newly eligible. Here's how you can apply
 Millions of independent contractors and other self-employed individuals, including a large share of the nation's 1.4 million REALTORS®, may now be eligible for unemployment benefits under the recently passed CARES Act. Through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, you may now qualify for unemployment benefits for up to 39 weeks if you've suffered a loss of income, either completely or partially, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal legislation is brand-new, requiring participating states to expand their existing unemployment programs and resulting in challenges to getting benefits to applicants. Many states have had to build entirely new systems to administer the funds, and all participating states have had to wait for guidance from the federal government in order to disburse the money properly. Click here to read the full article.
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LEGAL: Sound the Alarm! Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Rentals
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By Christal Park Keegan, NVR Legal Information Line Attorney
 Although Nevada law requires carbon monoxide alarms in newly constructed homes and does not require the retrofitting of detectors in older homes, it's still a good idea to encourage the landlord/owner to install one. Providing a safe unit is one of the most important qualities of a great landlord. As a property manager, by staying on top of property maintenance and informing the landlord of simple and affordable safety measures, you are also ensuring the safety of the tenants, which is one of the most important qualities of a great property manager.
To get the landlord/owner on board, consider contacting your local fire department regarding the availability of a carbon monoxide detection program. Many local fire departments offer free services which may include carbon monoxide assessments, proper installations and/or instructions on installations and/or home safety kits. For your convenience, we provide the statewide contact information for our fire departments here.
Click here to view the full article. |
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REALTORS®: Sellers not lowering listing prices to attract buyers
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 More than 3 in 4 Realtors® currently working with sellers last week - 76% - reported their clients have not reduced listing prices to attract buyers, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors®. That's up from 74% who said the same a week ago.
NAR's latest Economic Pulse Flash Survey - conducted April 26-27 - asked members how the coronavirus outbreak has impacted the residential and commercial real estate markets. Several highlights include:
- Three in 10 Realtors® said they were able to complete nearly all aspects of real estate transactions while complying with social distance directives.
- A majority of Realtors® - 64% - reported buyers are looking for some discounts in home prices.
Click here to read the full report.
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