As Session Sets to Open Major Parties Still Losing Voter Share

The 2017 session of the Nevada Legislature begins in four days and the Voter registration numbers for January, 2017 show no change in the trend. Both major political parties continue to lose voter share while Non-Partisan and total voters not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party grow. According to the secretary of state’s office, some counties performed routine list maintenance. However, the trend still was across all demographics; state-wide, Clark County, Washoe County, rural counties, among those 18 – 34 years of age and those above 55.
State-Wide
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
-340
-0.06
39.55
0.00
R
-569
-0.11
33.09
-0.02
NP
76
0.02
20.89
0.01
Other
-41
-0.05
6.46
0.00
Total not D or R
27.35
0.01
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP -0.03%; Lib +0.11%; other 5 parties -0.26%
Clark County
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
77
0.02
43.23
0.00
R
-124
-0.04
28.86
-0.02
NP
220
0.10
21.81
0.02
Other
33
0.05
6.10
0.01
Total not D or R
27.91
0.03
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP +0.09%; Lib +0.25%; other 5 parties -0.22%
Washoe County
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
-314
-0.33
35.82
-0.01
R
-291
-0.29
37.09
0.00
NP
-126
-0.24
19.86
0.02
Other
-56
-0.19
7.24
0.00
Total not D or R
27.10
0.02
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP -0.34%; Lib -0.09%; other 5 parties -0.28%
 Rural Counties
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
-103
-0.23
24.30
-0.01
R
-154
-0.16
51.04
0.00
NP
-18
-0.06
17.25
0.02
Other
-26
-0.19
7.41
0.00
Total not D or R
24.66
0.02
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP -0.14%; Lib -0.21%; other 5 parties -0.64%
18 – 34 Year Old
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
-533
-0.32
39.63
0.00
R
-386
-0.41
22.73
-0.01
NP
-338
-0.28
29.60
0.02
Other
-95
-0.28
8.05
0.01
Total not D or R
37.65
0.03
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP -0.18%; Lib -0.24%; other 5 parties -0.57%
55+
Party
Change in # Voters
% Change
% Voter Share
Difference in Voter Share %
D
220
0.09
40.07
0.00
R
136
0.06
40.46
-0.02
NP
230
0.26
14.31
0.02
Other
39
0.12
5.17
0.01
Total not D or R
19.48
0.03
Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters: IAP +0.12%; Lib +0.23%; other 5 parties +0.05%
Major party loses also continue in congressional and legislative districts.
Congressional Districts
Party
# Districts Lose Voter Share
# Districts Gain Voter Share
# Districts No Change
Democratic
1
1
2
Republican
3
1
0
Non-Partisan
0
4
0
Other
0
1
3
Both CD 1 and CD 4continue 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
8
6
7
Republican
17
2
2
Non-Partisan
0
17
4
Other
7
7
7
In 13 districts (61.9%) 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 unchanged from last month.
State Assembly Districts
Party
# Districts Lose Voter Share
# Districts Gain Voter Share
# Districts No Change
Democratic
23
18
1
Republican
30
7
5
Non-Partisan
6
28
8
Other
14
20
8
In 31 districts (73.81%) 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. This is unchanged from last month.
Bill language is pending on a bill draft request submitted by Senator James Settelymeyer (R-Minden) that will open up the primary election process to this continually growing segment of disenfranchised Nevada voters. The Nevada legislature can lead the nation by becoming the first legislative body to enact this important election reform. Voters in other states have lead election reform efforts. Isn’t it better if elected officials implement these changes?