By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform
Last month we asked if the political maneuvering during the legislative session would drive voter share of the major political parties down. Based on the voter registration numbers for June 2019 just released by the secretary of state, that could be the case.
Across all tracked demographics; Statewide, Clark County, Washoe County, rural counties, among younger and older voters, both the Democratic and Republican Party lost voter share. The only exception, the Democratic Party held steady among those 18 to 34 years of age. At the same time, Non-Partisan gained share among all demographics and the minor parties (Independent American, Libertarian, and others) were mixed, either holding steady or gaining.
Raw growth was not any kinder to the major parties. Their percentage of growth lagged behind Non-Partisan and the minor parties. The highest rate of growth was seen by the Independent American and Libertarian parties.
State-Wide
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 3,073 | 0.52% | 38.06% | -0.01% |
| R | 2,054 | 0.39% | 33.55% | -0.06% |
| NP | 2,785 | 0.81% | 22.11% | 0.06% |
| IAP | 602 | 0.88% | 4.41% | 0.01% |
| LIB | 153 | 0.97% | 1.01% | 0.00% |
| Other | 16 | 0.12% | 0.86% | 0.00% |
| Total not D or R | 28.39% | 0.07 |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others
Clark County
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 2,708 | 0.60% | 41.78% | -0.02% |
| R | 1,526 | 0.48% | 29.30% | -0.05% |
| NP | 2,245 | 0.91% | 23.02% | 0.06% |
| IAP | 483 | 1.08% | 4.15% | 0.02% |
| LIB | 124 | 1.26% | 0.92% | 0.01% |
| Other | 7 | 0.08% | 0.83% | 0.00% |
| Total not D or R | 28.92% | 0.09% |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others
Washoe County
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 318 | 0.33% | 34.92% | -0.02% |
| R | 299 | 0.29% | 36.85% | -0.03% |
| NP | 350 | 0.59% | 21.32% | 0.05% |
| IAP | 61 | 0.49% | 4.47% | 0.01% |
| LIB | 14 | 0.40% | 1.28% | 0.01% |
| Other | 2 | 0.06% | 1.17% | -0.01% |
| Total not D or R | 28.24% | 0.06% |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others
Rural Counties
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 47 | 0.10% | 22.52% | -0.04% |
| R | 229 | 0.22% | 51.69% | -0.03% |
| NP | 190 | 0.51% | 18.37% | 0.04% |
| IAP | 58 | 0.50% | 5.72% | 0.01% |
| LIB | 15 | 0.65% | 1.15% | 0.00% |
| Other | 7 | 0.63% | 0.55% | 0.00% |
| Total not D or R | 25.79% | 0.05 |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others
18 – 34 Year Old
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 1,019 | 0.63% | 38.45% | 0.00% |
| R | 327 | 0.34% | 22.75% | -0.07% |
| NP | 1,090 | 0.83% | 31.20% | 0.06% |
| IAP | 210 | 1.10% | 4.58% | 0.02% |
| LIB | 53 | 0.73% | 1.74% | 0.00% |
| Other | -8 | -0.15% | 1.27% | -0.01% |
| Total not D or R | 38.80% | 0.07% |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other
55+
| Party | Change in # Voters | % Change | % Voter Share | Difference in Voter Share % |
| D | 1,213 | 0.48% | 38.38% | -0.02% |
| R | 1,291 | 0.48% | 41.43% | -0.03% |
| NP | 783 | 0.80% | 15.07% | 0.04% |
| IAP | 199 | 0.73% | 4.15% | 0.01% |
| LIB | 25 | 0.85% | 0.45% | 0.00% |
| Other | 15 | 0.44% | 0.52% | 0.00% |
| Total not D or R | 20.194% | 0.05% |
Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others
By district voter share changes.
Congressional Districts
| Party | # Districts Lose Voter Share | # Districts Gain Voter Share | # Districts No Change |
| Democratic | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-Partisan | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| IAP | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| LIB | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 3 |
CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 (75 percent of the districts) continue to show the number of voters not affiliated with either major party is greater than or within 5% of the number of voters registered to one of the major parties.
State Senate Districts
| Party | # Districts Lose Voter Share | # Districts Gain Voter Share | # Districts No Change |
| Democratic | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Republican | 18 | 1 | 2 |
| Non-Partisan | 2 | 19 | 0 |
| IAP | 1 | 16 | 4 |
| LIB | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 14 |
In 16 districts (76.19%) the number of voters registered as Non-Partisan or the total number not affiliated with either major party is greater than or within 5% of the number of voters registered to one of the major parties.
State Assembly Districts
| Party | # Districts Lose Voter Share | # Districts Gain Voter Share | # Districts No Change |
| Democratic | 28 | 11 | 3 |
| Republican | 35 | 4 | 3 |
| Non-Partisan | 4 | 36 | 2 |
| IAP | 4 | 31 | 7 |
| LIB | 8 | 21 | 13 |
| Other | 14 | 3 | 25 |
In 34 districts (81%) the number of voters registered as Non-Partisan or the total number not affiliated with either major party is greater than or within 5% of the number of voters registered to one of the major parties.
We are now entering the presidential election cycle. The Democratic Party held their first candidate debate. Automatic voter registration approved by the voters in 2018 will be implemented. Beginning with early voting next year, voters will be able to register to vote or update their voter registration when they go to the polls to vote; same-day voter registration signed into law by Governor Sisolak. We don’t know how both these programs will impact voter registration or turnout. We will be watching.