RENO — A rural Nevada church is trying to renew its unsuccessful bid to strike down the state’s cap on the size of religious gatherings, arguing failure to enforce social-distancing guidelines in voter lines during Tuesday’s primary election was further proof churches are being singled out in violation of the constitution. A U.S. district judge ruled earlier this week against churches in Las Vegas and rural Lyon County seeking court orders lifting the 50-person cap Gov. Steve Sisolak has placed on worship services to combat the spread of COVID-19. Judge Richard Bouleware II rejected arguments they should instead be held to the same rules as casinos and others subjected to limits set at 50% of building capacity. On Friday, Bouleware also denied a request by Lyon County’s Cavalry Chapel Dayton Valley to file a supplemental brief adding arguments about voting to its original complaint citing lack of enforcement at crowded casinos and recent protests over racism and policing. He did grant the church permission to file a new motion for injunctive relief if it has new evidence of a pattern of discriminatory enforcement targeting places of worship in violation of their constitutionally protected freedom to express and exercise their […]

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