The Center for Voter Participation says it sent 3.1 million “Voting Report Cards,” “Great Citizen” awards and other notices. Some cards label a recipient’s participation “Above Average” or “Below Average” and list voting history for the 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026 elections.

A Las Vegas resident identified as Michele said she was startled to see a below-average grade. After checking her record on the Nevada Secretary of State’s website, she said she confirmed her votes were listed and became upset that an outside organization had obtained the information.

The center told Michele and local television reporters that it uses publicly available state voter files and vendor lists. It also cautioned that records may be inaccurate when people move within Nevada or leave the state.

Tom Lopach, who represents the Voter Participation Center and the Center for Voter Information, said the mailings use comparisons with neighbors or other residents, as well as awards recognizing people who vote regularly. The organizations’ stated aim, he said, is to increase participation, particularly among people of color, young people and unmarried women.

The approach can rely on guilt, Lopach acknowledged, though he said the goal is broader participation rather than making recipients feel bad. Kenneth Miller, a UNLV assistant professor who studies political campaigns, said social pressure is used by campaigns and interest groups, but questioned whether a notice from an unfamiliar organization would make someone feel accountable.

Miller emphasized a distinction central to the mailers: whether a person voted is public information, but how that person voted is not. Nevadans seeking information about the mailers or opting out can visit the Voter Participation Center’s website.