FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 22, 2007
CONTACT: Bob Walsh, (702) 486-2436

Nevada Secretary of State Announces Chairman Appointment to Advisory Council

Carson City, NV – Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller announced the appointment of Robert Elliott as chairman of the Advisory Council on Participatory Democracy (ACPD).

Elliott is vice president of government affairs for MGM MIRAGE. In this capacity, his responsibilities include: developing and implementing the company's governmental affairs on a local, state and federal level; running the company's Political Action Committee; and ensuring compliance with state and federal campaign and ethics laws. Additionally, Rob spearheads the company's Employee Voter Registration and Voting Program for 68,000 employees.

"Rob brings a great deal of experience and perspective to this position," said Secretary Miller. "He has some intriguing ideas for accomplishing the committee's goals and under his leadership and guidance, I believe the ACPD will raise the level of participatory democracy throughout the state."

Chuck Alvey was also appointed vice chairman of the committee. Alvey, President and CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), has led efforts resulting in over $1 billion in economic impact to the region. Most recently he spearheaded the regional Target Industry and Skill Set Study known as Target2010. The results will help propel the Greater Reno-Tahoe region to high-yield sustainable economic impact.

The ACPD is created within the Office of the Secretary of State pursuant to NRS 225.240. The committee consists of members appointed by the Secretary of State, including the Secretary of State designee.

Its purpose is to assist the office of the Secretary of State in identifying and proposing programs that promote citizen participation in governance, establishing a Jean Ford Democracy Award and working with partner organizations at the local, state and national level to increase voter participation in the election process.

The ACPD meeting was recently held in Las Vegas on October 18, 2007. During the meeting, the committee discussed various ideas and projects to carry out the goals Secretary Miller set forth for the committee, which focus on voter participation, specifically youth involvement, and building relationships with the business community to develop innovative strategies to increase participation in the election process.

Recently named co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Voter Participation Committee, Secretary Miller will exemplify the efforts of the ACPD as a resource to foster programs on the national level.

Members of the committee include: David Fraser; Laura Golod; Joyce Haldeman; W. Dean Ishman; Secretary of State designee, Kati Keating; Julianna Ormsby; Maria Urbina; Pilar Weiss; and Senator Valerie Wiener.

For more information on the committee, visit the Secretary of State website at www.nvsos.gov.