By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform
What impact did voters automatically receiving their ballot in the mail have on their decision to vote? Only a statewide poll of voters will give us that answer.
What we do know is that over 98 percent of ballots were returned by mail or drop-off. More importantly is the fact that voter participation (turnout) was unprecedented.
State-Wide Turnout
| Year | % Turnout | increase vs 2016 | % increase vs 2016 | increase vs 2018 | % increase vs 2018 |
| 2020 | 30.16% | 11.62% | 62.68% | 7.29% | 31.82% |
| 2016 | 18.54% | ||||
| 2018 | 22.91% |
2020 Turnout by County
| Total | Democratic | Republican | Other | |
| Average | 38.76% | 41.00% | 45.82% | 21.97% |
| High | 50.25% Humboldt | 49.25% Douglas | 59.09% Humboldt | 30.47% Humboldt |
| Low | 27.76 Clark | 32.01% Clark | 33.32% Clark | 15.25% Clark |
NOTE: Republican Party exceeded 50% turnout in Douglas, Humboldt, Lander, Storey, and White Pine Counties
Percent of Ballots Cast
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Other |
| 2020 | 43.40% | 40.16% | 15.81% |
| 2016 | 42.81% | 48.13% | 9.05% |
| 2018 | 44.47% | 43.55% | 11.99% |
In 2020 races where we could track turnout:
Congressional
| Race | # Contests | Avg | High | Low |
| Congressional | 8 | 35.56% | 40.81% CD2 – R | 24.39% CD1 – R |
| State Senate | 3 | 29.11% | 32.52% SD18 – D | 24.45% SD11 – R |
| State Assembly | 26 | 31.24% | 43.37% AD40 – D | 19.35% AD14 – D |
| Judicial | 24 | 24.51% | 30.35% Dist 2 Dept 11 | 23.06% Dist 8 Fam Div Y |
These percentages show similar increases to the statewide totals.
Will the general election show a similar increase in turnout or a return to normal; 75 – 80 percent? How will the voting method; continue all mail ballots or return to normal in-person voting impact turnout? We’ll know in four months.