Did Bernie Supporters Leave the Democratic Party

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform

Did Bernie Sanders supporters follow through on their threat to leave the Democratic Party? That question has to be asked given that in July, according to numbers released by the Nevada secretary of state, Democratic Party voter share dropped across all demographics, in all Congressional districts, and in all state legislative districts. At the same time, the share of voters registered as Non-Partisan increased in the same groups, the only difference being in one state assembly district.

The Democratic Party was not alone. The Republican Party also saw a drop in voter share across all demographics; Congressional districts and state legislative districts, but not as severe. Minor parties also saw a slight increase in voter share. The shift in July also returned the Republican Party’s lead in Washoe County, if only by 138 voters; 0.05% in voter share. 

State-Wide

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D5,7180.92%38.31%-0.24%
R6,5801.24%32.61%-0.10%
NP10,9922.99%22.99%0.32%
IAP1,1261.59%4.38%0.00%
LIB4462.86%0.98%0.01%
Other2712.30%0.73%0.01%
Total not D or R  29.08%0.34

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D2,5860.54%41.79%-0.28%
R3,6641.12%28.51%-0.03%
NP6,7742.51%23.92%0.30%
IAP6121.28%4.18%0.00%
LIB1981.97%0.89%0.01%
Other490.60%0.71%0.00%
Total not D or R  29.70%0.31

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D4,1844.34%35.77%-0.31%
R4,4334.60%35.82%-0.22%
NP4,1437.28%21.72%0.41%
IAP7416.32%4.43%0.04%
LIB2798.68%1.24%0.04%
Other2369.10%1.01%0.04%
Total not D or R  28.41%0.53

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D-1,052-2.24%22.25%-0.21%
R-1,517-1.41%51.23%-0.05%
NP750.19%19.50%0.29%
IAP-227-1.99%5.42%-0.04%
LIB-31-1.32%1.12%0.00%
Other-14-1.38%0.48%0.00%
Total not D or R  26.52%0.25

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

18 – 34 Year Old

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D2,5081.46%39.55%-0.36%
R1,7601.92%21.16%-0.09%
NP5,0093.67%32.05%0.40%
IAP5552.82%4.58%0.02%
LIB2824.05%1.64%0.03%
Other1212.76%1.02%0.00%
Total not D or R  39.29%0.45

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other

55+

PartyChange in # Voters% Change% Voter ShareDifference in Voter Share %
D1,3610.52%38.32%-0.14%
R2,2120.78%41.04%-0.04%
NP2,2632.13%15.64%0.19%
IAP2410.86%4.10%0.00%
LIB10.03%0.43%0.00%
Other431.37%0.46%0.00%
Total not D or R  20.63%0.19

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
Democratic400
Republican400
Non-Partisan040
IAP013
LIB022
Other112

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) 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
Democratic2100
Republican1461
Non-Partisan0210
IAP8103
LIB3144
Other867

In 18 districts (85.71%) 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
Democratic4200
Republican31101
Non-Partisan1410
IAP16206
LIB8268
Other161511

In 36 districts (85.71%) 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. This is an increase of one district over June.

If Bernie Sanders supporters did decide to leave the party, it should show in the August numbers.

3 Replies to “Did Bernie Supporters Leave the Democratic Party”

  1. Uhmmm what did you think would happen? You couldn’t possibly believe we would stay and vote for establishment douches and maintain the status quo, which has done nothing for the little people for decades. You must have forgotten that your job is to represent We The People. Your job is not to fatten your bank accounts. So yeah, we out.

  2. I, like many of us, chose to change our affiliation from Independent to Democrat to support Bernie Sanders in the Caucus. Although I personally have not changed my status as of yet, I will. I’m not sure if I can be totally behind Joe Biden, but my vote will not be wasted on a Candidate who can not beat Trump.

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