Author: Doug Goodman

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Did the Legislative Session Drive Major Party Voter Share Down

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

The 80th regular session of the Nevada legislature ends today, June 3rd and looking at the voter registration numbers for May just released, voters may have been paying attention to the political maneuvering.

Statewide, in Clark County, in Washoe County, in the rurals, among younger and older voters, not only did the major parties lose voter share, they lagged behind Non-Partisan and the minor parties in rate of growth. The major parties also continued to lose voter share across Congressional state senate, and state assembly districts while Non-Partisan and the minor parties increased.

While this trend in nothing new, have to wonder if voters have been watching whether the new Democratic majority would work with the Republican minority or try to force their legislative priorities through.

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 5,542 0.94% 38.08% -0.03%
R 4,633 0.89% 33.60% -0.05%
NP 4,619 1.36% 22.06% 0.07%
IAP 896 1.32% 4.40% 0.01%
LIB 242 1.56% 1.01% 0.01%
Other 31 0.23% 0.86% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.32% 0.08

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 4,827 1.08% 41.81% -0.03%
R 3,102 0.99% 29.35% -0.05%
NP 3,581 1.47% 22.96% 0.07%
IAP 676 1.54% 4.13% 0.02%
LIB 174 1.80% 0.91% 0.01%
Other 28 0.31% 0.84% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.85% 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 562 0.58% 34.93% -0.06%
R 737 0.73% 36.88% -0.01%
NP 633 1.09% 21.27% 0.07%
IAP 108 0.88% 4.47% 0.01%
LIB 42 1.20% 1.28% 0.01%
Other -2 -0.06% 1.17% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.18% 0.08%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 153 0.33% 22.56% -0.09%
R 794 0.76% 51.72% 0.01%
NP 405 1.10% 18.32% 0.06%
IAP 112 0.97% 5.71% 0.01%
LIB 26 1.13% 1.14% 0.00%
Other 5 0.45% 0.55% 0.00%
Total not D or R     25.72% 0.07

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 540 0.34% 38.45% -0.01%
R 163 0.17% 22.82% -0.04%
NP 751 0.58% 31.14% 0.07%
IAP 79 0.41% 4.56% 0.00%
LIB 19 0.26% 1.74% 0.00%
Other -33 -0.61% 1.28% -0.01%
Total not D or R     38.72% 0.06%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 2,220 0.89% 38.40% -0.02%
R 2,291 0.85% 41.46% -0.03%
NP 1,194 1.23% 15.03% 0.04%
IAP 301 1.12% 4.14% 0.01%
LIB 29 0.99% 0.45% 0.00%
Other 34 1.01% 0.52% 0.00%
Total not D or R     20.14% 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 3 1 0
Republican 4 0 0
Non-Partisan 0 4 0
IAP 0 4 0
LIB 0 4 0
Other 3 0 1

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 3 2
Republican 16 3 2
Non-Partisan 2 19 0
IAP 2 15 4
LIB 2 12 7
Other 12 1 8

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 30 10 2
Republican 31 8 3
Non-Partisan 4 38 0
IAP 6 30 6
LIB 7 20 15
Other 24 2 16

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.

Unless something unforeseen happens, state legislators will be heading home tomorrow June 4th. The next election will see same-day voter registration allowed and perhaps an increase in the use of absentee ballots. Automatic voter registration will have been implemented. How this will impact voter registration trends is something we will have to wait to find out.

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What’s Going On In The Democratic Party

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

What’s going on in the Democratic Party? As we enter the last 30 days of the legislative session, something is causing the Party to continue to lose voter share across all tracked demographics while Non-Partisan and the Republican Party continue to gain.

In the figures for April 2019 voter registration just released by the secretary of state, the Democratic Party lost voter share state-wide, in Clark County, in Washoe County, in the rural counties, among those 18 – 34 years of age, and among those 55 and older. The Party also lost voter share in all Congressional and state senate districts and 36 of the 42 state assembly districts. Meanwhile, the Republican Party gained share in all but the rural counties (it remained even) and Non-Partisan gained except in Washoe County where it remained even. Gains for both were similarly lopsided towards gains in all legislative chambers. The Democratic Party also posted the lowest rate of growth across all tracked demographics.  

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 2,175 0.37% 38.11% -0.04%
R 2,607 0.50% 33.65% 0.01%
NP 2,196 0.65% 21.99% 0.04%
IAP 427 0.64% 4.38% 0.01%
LIB 115 0.75% 1.00% 0.00%
Other -10 -0.07% 0.87% 0.00%
Total not D or R     28.24% 0.05

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 1,970 0.44% 41.84% -0.06%
R 2,000 0.64% 29.40% 0.02%
NP 1,842 0.76% 22.89% 0.04%
IAP 330 0.76% 4.11% 0.01%
LIB 85 0.89% 0.91% 0.00%
Other -6 -0.07% 0.85% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.71% 0.00%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 166 0.17% 34.99% -0.02%
R 267 0.26% 36.89% 0.01%
NP 136 0.23% 21.20% 0.00%
IAP 56 0.46% 4.46% 0.01%
LIB 13 0.37% 1.27% 0.00%
Other -10 -0.31% 1.18% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.11% 0.00%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 39 0.09% 22.65% -0.06%
R 340 0.33% 51.71% 0.00%
NP 218 0.60% 18.26% 0.05%
IAP 41 0.36% 5.69% 0.00%
LIB 17 0.75% 1.14% 0.00%
Other 6 0.55% 0.55% 0.00%
Total not D or R     25.64% 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 735 0.46% 38.46% -0.05%
R 600 0.63% 22.87% 0.01%
NP 892 0.69% 31.07% 0.03%
IAP 157 0.83% 4.56% 0.01%
LIB 71 0.99% 1.74% 0.01%
Other -37 -0.68% 1.30% -0.02%
Total not D or R     38.67% 0.03%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 991 0.40% 38.42% -0.05%
R 1,575 0.59% 41.49% 0.03%
NP 627 0.65% 14.99% 0.02%
IAP 151 0.57% 4.13% 0.00%
LIB 32 1.11% 0.45% 0.00%
Other 10 0.30% 0.52% 0.00%
Total not D or R     20.09% 0.02%

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 0 2 2
Non-Partisan 0 4 0
IAP 0 3 1
LIB 0 1 3
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 21 0 0
Republican 8 9 4
Non-Partisan 2 17 2
IAP 4 12 5
LIB 1 6 14
Other 8 0 13

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 36 2 4
Republican 14 24 4
Non-Partisan 5 34 3
IAP 8 25 9
LIB 6 18 18
Other 21 3 18

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.

The multi-year trend shows no sign of changing. The question is, will the presidential election cycle generate enough interest for the Democratic Party, or will the nomination battle have the opposite effect of turning voters away?

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Routine List Maintenance Benefits GOP Voter Share

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

Besides all the activity in the state legislature, March brings the first routine maintenance of the voter rolls. This process usually results in a loss of active registered voters across all categories along with a corresponding change in voter share.

In March, according to the figures released by the secretary of state, the Republican Party emerged in good shape, gaining voter share across most demographics tracked while the Democratic Party, Non-Partisan, and minor parties experienced mostly a drop in share.   

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D -25,539 -4.17% 38.16% -0.19%
R -15,270 -2.87% 33.64% 0.28%
NP -14,113 -4.02% 21.95% -0.07%
IAP -3,928 -3.59% 4.38% 0.00%
LIB -715 -4.44% 1.00% -0.01%
Other -706 -5.01% 0.87% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.20% -0.09

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D -25,929 -5.51% 41.90% 0.00%
R -16,693 -5.08% 29.38% 0.13%
NP -14,996 -5.82% 22.85% -0.08%
IAP -4,157 -5.82% 4.11% -0.01%
LIB -753 -7.27% 0.91% -0.02%
Other -711 -7.29% 0.85% -0.02%
Total not D or R     28.71% -0.13%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 197 0.21% 35.01% -0.02%
R 256 0.25% 36.88% -0.01%
NP 247 0.43% 21.20% 0.03%
IAP 46 0.37% 4.45% 0.00%
LIB 8 0.23% 1.27% 0.00%
Other -7 -0.22% 1.18% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.11% 0.02%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 193 0.42% 22.71% -0.15%
R 1,167 1.13% 51.71% 0.02%
NP 636 1.77% 18.21% 0.12%
IAP 141 1.25% 5.69% 0.01%
LIB 30 1.33% 1.13% 0.00%
Other 12 1.10% 0.55% 0.00%
Total not D or R     25.58% 0.13

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 -8,878 -5.26% 38.51% -0.19%
R -4,171 -4.21% 22.86% 0.14%
NP -6,342 -4.69% 31.04% 0.04%
IAP -1,542 -4.26% 4.55% 0.03%
LIB -355 -4.70% 1.73% 0.00%
Other -345 -5.95% 1.31% -0.02%
Total not D or R     38.63% 0.05%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D -7,218 -2.83% 38.47% -0.17%
R -5,200 -1.91% 41.46% 0.20%
NP -2,554 -2.58% 14.97% -0.03%
IAP -825 -2.37% 4.13% 0.00%
LIB -64 -2.17% 0.45% 0.00%
Other -114 -3.29% 0.52% 0.00%
Total not D or R     20.07% -0.03%

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 0 4 0
Non-Partisan 3 1 0
IAP 2 2 0
LIB 3 0 1
Other 4 0 0

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 15 4 2
Republican 2 19 0
Non-Partisan 12 7 2
IAP 11 5 5
LIB 11 0 10
Other 16 2 3

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 26 14 2
Republican 5 33 4
Non-Partisan 27 13 2
IAP 20 15 7
LIB 26 9 7
Other 27 5 10

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.

Months when voter roll maintenance is performed are not indicative of any registration trend. Who is moved to inactive or removed from the rolls is based on criteria that is not based on any party affiliation. We will have to wait until next month to see if a new trend will develop or we return to major party loses and Non-Partisan gains.

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Make Voting Easy…People Will Vote

Does making voting easy really encourage people to participate in elections? Will voters actually turn out in higher numbers if it’s easy? According to a report just released by Nonprofit Vote and the U.S. Elections Project, the answer is a resounding “YES”.

The report, titled “America Goes To The Polls 2018”looked at voter turnout in all 50 states, comparing the number of people who voted to the number of eligible voters (those of voting age not just the number registered to vote). What makes this report even more interesting is the 2018 mid-term election in November 2018 saw the largest overall turnout for a mid-term election in over 100 years. Bottom line, the states with the highest turnout make it easy. The states with the lowest turnout make it difficult.

Same Day Registration

Same day voter registration allows citizens who are eligible to vote but not registered to do so to register and vote. Currently 15 states allow same day registration on election day. An additional two states allow same day registration during early voting. Of those states, seven were in the top ten highest turnout states, including the top four. Conversely, seven of the bottom ten require voters to register no later than four weeks prior to the election.

Vote at Home (Vote by Mail)

Currently four states; Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. Of those, three ranked 2 (Colorado), 5 (Oregon), and 7 (Washington) in overall turnout. Utah, with an overall ranking of 23 had the highest turnout growth rate; 21.7% over 2014. Turnout for the 2018 primary election was also higher in those states compared to others; median 37.5% compared to 22%

Other notable achievements using vote at home:

Anchorage, Alaska experienced a record turnout after using all mail ballots in April 2018

California tested using all mail ballots in five counties. Turnout in those five was far greater than the remaining 53 counties

In their May 2018 primary, one county in Nebraska experienced 58% turnout compared to 24% statewide. Four additional counties implemented all mail ballots for the general election and saw similar results

Automatic Voter Registration

Automatic voter registration utilizes a state’s department of motor vehicles to automatically register or update a current voter registration easier. It is done by changing the process from an “opt-in” where a voter must request to register or update to an “opt-out” where registration or update is automatic unless the person declines. Currently five states have implemented automatic voter registration with another 12, including Nevada, pending implementation. States that use this process saw a median growth of registered voters of 11% between 2014 and 2018 as compared to 3% in all other states. California saw an increase in turnout of 18.8%, Georgia 16.4%

In Nevada, just over 80% of eligible voters are registered to vote.

The report goes on to look at the positive impacts of pre-registration for those 17 years old (Nevada does this), the use of non-partisan redistricting commissions to draw congressional, state, and local districts, and the use of ranked choice voting.

Not addressed in the report but worth introducing is the concept of online voting. Technologies such as blockchain are increasing the security of online transactions. The Utah Republican Party used online voting in their 2016 presidential caucus. West Virginia experimented with online voting in 2018. Also in 2018, Washoe County starting using blockchain to issue marriage certificates. The largest generation, the Millennials, have never not known computers. Younger Millennials have not been alive when there was not social media. Upcoming generations will most likely be totally reliant on technology to perform daily life activities. If we want these generations to fully participate in elections, the process must be familiar. I truly believe it a matter of when not if online voting will happen.

Voting must be convenient. It must be easy. It must be open to all eligible to participate. “America Goes To The Polls 2018”  provides results and a roadmap.

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One Month Into Session Democratic Party Continues to Lose Voter Share

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

One month into the 80th regular session of the Nevada legislature, the Democratic Party continued to lose voter share in February. The only exception was among those 18 to 34 years of age and in the rural counties.  

The Democratic Party’s 2019 Legislative Session Nevada Blueprint includes “Expand access to the ballot box.” We will be following several election-related bills that are designed to do just that. The question remains, however, will the party’s leadership follow the same path as in the 2017 session?

Here are the numbers.

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 1,917 0.31% 38.35% 0.00%
R 1,153 0.22% 33.36% -0.03%
NP 1,663 0.48% 22.03% 0.03%
IAP 382 0.48% 4.37% 0.01%
LIB 92 0.58% 1.01% 0.00%
Other -46 -0.33% 0.88% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.29% 0.03

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 2,092 0.45% 41.90% -0.04%
R 1,695 0.52% 29.25% -0.01%
NP 1,822 0.71% 22.93% 0.04%
IAP 435 0.76% 4.12% 0.01%
LIB 87 0.85% 0.92% 0.00%
Other 0 0.00% 0.87% 0.00%
Total not D or R     28.84% 0.05%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 3 0.00% 35.04% -0.06%
R 240 0.24% 36.89% 0.02%
NP 215 0.37% 21.17% 0.04%
IAP 42 0.47% 4.45% 0.01%
LIB 23 0.67% 1.27% 0.01%
Other -38 -1.16% 1.19% -0.02%
Total not D or R     28.08% 0.04%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D -178 -0.39% 22.86% 0.07%
R -782 -0.75% 51.69% -0.02%
NP -374 -1.03% 18.09% -0.06%
IAP -69 -0.61% 5.68% 0.01%
LIB -18 -0.79% 1.13% 0.00%
Other -8 -0.73% 0.55% 0.00%
Total not D or R     25.45% -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 346 0.21% 38.70% 0.03%
R -142 -0.14% 22.71% -0.06%
NP 377 0.28% 31.00% 0.05%
IAP -4 0.08% 4.52% 0.00%
LIB 17 0.23% 1.73% 0.00%
Other -37 -0.63% 1.33% -0.01%
Total not D or R     38.58% 0.04%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and other

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 1,005 0.40% 38.64% -0.03%
R 1,184 0.44% 41.26% -0.01%
NP 679 0.69% 15.00% 0.03%
IAP 223 0.69% 4.13% 0.01%
LIB 31 1.06% 0.45% 0.00%
Other 5 0.14% 0.52% 0.00%
Total not D or R     20.10% 0.04%

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 3 1 0
Republican 3 1 0
Non-Partisan 0 4 0
IAP 0 3 1
LIB 0 0 4
Other 2 0 2

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 18 3 0
Republican 11 7 3
Non-Partisan 2 19 0
IAP 5 13 3
LIB 2 8 11
Other 9 1 11

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 33 7 2
Republican 19 20 3
Non-Partisan 8 31 3
IAP 10 27 5
LIB 8 16 18
Other 18 5 19

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 show voter registration data broken down statewide, Clark County, Washoe County, the rural counties, those 18 to 34 and those 55 and older. Across all these demographics except for those over 55 the percentage of voter not registered to either the Democratic or Republican Party is close to 30 percent; 20 percent for those over 55. For those 18 to 34, the percentage is close to 40 percent. Will the legislature acknowledge this continuing trend and pass the election bills presented to truly “expand access to the ballot box”? We’ll know in three months.

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Election Bills We’re Following

With the 2019 Nevada legislative session now under way, here are the election bills we are following. This list will be updated as more bills are written and as they progress through the process.

One bill that will not be listed is one that would have given local governments the option to implement ranked choice voting for their local elections. The potential sponsor was told by the Assembly Speaker that the bill would not advance if introduced.

[table “1” not found /]
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After Democratic Election Wave Party Continues to Lose Voter Share

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

 The Democratic Party experienced a large ballot box victory in November, yet as 2019 begins, the party continues to experience a decline in voter share. The voter registration data for January 2019 just released by the secretary of state shows the Democratic Party losing voter share across all demographics tracked. At the same time Non-Partisan and minor party registration increased share and the GOP was mixed. The same holds true for the rate of growth; the number of new voters registering in each category.

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 2,374 0.39% 38.35% -0.04%
R 2,283 0.43% 33.39% -0.02%
NP 2,416 0.70% 21.99% 0.05%
IAP 619 0.80% 4.36% 0.01%
LIB 121 0.76% 1.01% 0.00%
Other -52 -0.37% 0.89% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.25% 0.05

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 2,400 0.52% 41.94% -0.07%
R 2,323 0.72% 29.26% 0.01%
NP 2,261 0.89% 22.89% 0.05%
IAP 589 1.16% 4.11% 0.02%
LIB 105 1.03% 0.92% 0.00%
Other -42 -0.43% 0.87% -0.01%
Total not D or R     28.80% 0.06%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 38 0.04% 35.10% -0.02%
R 45 0.04% 36.87% -0.02%
NP 140 0.24% 21.13% 0.03%
IAP 47 0.34% 4.43% 0.01%
LIB 15 0.44% 1.27% 0.00%
Other -9 -0.27% 1.20% 0.00%
Total not D or R     28.04% 0.04%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D -64 -0.14% 22.78% -0.01%
R -85 -0.08% 51.71% 0.00%
NP 15 0.04% 18.15% 0.02%
IAP -17 -0.15% 5.68% 0.00%
LIB 1 0.04% 1.13% 0.00%
Other -1 -0.09% 0.55% 0.00%
Total not D or R     25.51% 0.02%

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 1,802 1.08% 38.67% -0.03%
R 1,266 1.29% 22.78% 0.03%
NP 1,549 1.16% 30.96% 0.00%*
IAP 390 1.56%* 4.53% 0.02%*
LIB 106 1.43% 1.73% 0.00%
Other -19 -0.32% 1.34% -0.02%
Total not D or R     38.55% 0.00%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

  • Given this demographic, were these voters believing they were registering as “independent”; should have registered as Non-Partisan?

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 489 0.19% 38.67% -0.05%
R 860 0.32% 41.27% 0.00%
NP 587 0.60% 14.97% 0.04%
IAP 215 0.72% 4.12% 0.02%
LIB 19 0.66% 0.44% 0.00%
Other 2 0.06% 0.53% 0.00%
Total not D or R     20.06% 0.06%

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 2 2 0
Non-Partisan 0 4 0
IAP 0 3 1
LIB 0 0 4
Other 3 0 1

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 18 0 3
Republican 9 9 3
Non-Partisan 1 19 1
IAP 2 15 4
LIB 1 8 12
Other 1 19 1

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 37 3 2
Republican 22 18 2
Non-Partisan 4 36 2
IAP 10 30 2
LIB 6 14 22
Other 22 1 19

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.

Nearly 30 percent of voters in Nevada are currently not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party; just under 40 percent for those between the ages of 18 and 34.

During the November election, voters passed automatic voter registration. The necessary action to implement this process has begun. It is more than likely this process will dramatically increase the percent of voters registered as Non-Partisan, potentially making that category the largest segment of voters. A bill to allow same-day voter registration has been filed for consideration during this legislative session. If that passes, the impact on party and Non-Partisan voter share may or may not be significant. However, given the long-term trend the assumption must be it will follow along the same lines. The question then becomes are these voters systemically excluded or does Nevada ensure all voters have the opportunity to participate fully in the election process?

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Growth of Non-Partisan Voters Highlights 2017 – 2018 Comparison

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

December was a month for routine voter list maintenance, so while the month to month trend showed mostly downward movement, the real story is the change that occurred during the full year. Bottom line, 2018 belonged to Non-Partisans.

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share Change
D -1,682 -0.28% 38.39% -0.02% -0.32
R -630 -0.12% 33.41% 0.04% -0.09
NP -1,067 -0.31% 21.95% -0.02% 0.64
IAP -261 0.02% 4.35% 0.01% -0.07
LIB -25 -0.16% 1.00% 0.00% 0.03
Other -249 -1.72% 0.90% -0.01% -0.20
Total not D or R     28.20% -0.02% 0.40

 Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share Change
D -2,295 -0.49% 42.01% 0.03% -0.29
R -1,578 -0.48% 29.25% 0.02% 0.00
NP -1,925 -0.75% 22.85% -0.04% 0.54
IAP -515 -0.48% 4.09% 0.00% -0.05
LIB -74 -0.72% 0.92% 0.00% 0.04
Other -224 -2.24% 0.88% -0.02% -0.24
Total not D or R     28.74% -0.06% 0.28

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share Change
D 401 0.42% 35.12% -0.02% -0.04
R 339 0.34% 36.89% -0.05% -0.80
NP 430 0.75% 21.10% 0.06% 1.08
IAP 107 0.91% 4.42% 0.02% -0.11
LIB 32 0.94% 1.26% 0.01% 0.01
Other -34 -1.02% 1.21% -0.02% -0.14
Total not D or R     27.99% 0.08% 0.83

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share Change
D 212 0.47% 22.80% -0.05% -0.85
R 609 0.59% 51.71% -0.06% 0.35
NP 428 1.19% 18.13% 0.09% 0.61
IAP 121 1.07% 5.68% 0.02% -0.13
LIB 17 0.76% 1.13% 0.00% 0.05
Other 9 0.83% 0.55% 0.00% -0.03
Total not D or R     25.49% 0.11% 0.51

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

18 – 34 Year Old

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share Change
D -1,176 -0.70% 38.70% 0.02% 0.11
R -693 -0.70% 22.75% 0.01% -0.41
NP -1,059 -0.79% 30.96% -0.01% 0.73
IAP -311 -0.66% 4.51% 0.00% -0.03
LIB -22 -0.30% 1.72% 0.01% 0.03
Other -159 -2.64% 1.36% -0.03% -0.43
Total not D or R     38.55% -0.03% 0.30

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share % 2017 – 2018 % Voter Share -Change
D 50 0.02% 38.72% -0.05% -0.60
R 525 0.19% 41.28% 0.02% 0.61
NP 228 0.23% 14.93% 0.01% 0.16
IAP 91 0.40% 4.10% 0.01% -0.09
LIB 6 0.21% 0.44% 0.00% -0.01
Other -23 -0.66% 0.53% 0.00% -0.07
Total not D or R     20.00% 0.02% -0.01

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 1 2 1
Republican 1 2 1
Non-Partisan 3 1 0
IAP 0 2 2
LIB 1 0 3
Other 4 0 0

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 6 13 2
Republican 11 8 2
Non-Partisan 12 7 2
IAP 3 11 7
LIB 5 6 10
Other 18 1 2

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 13 26 3
Republican 22 18 2
Non-Partisan 23 16 3
IAP 12 23 7
LIB 13 12 17
Other 32 1 9

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. This is a gain of one over November.

As we get ready to start the 2019 legislative session, will the voter registration trend have any impact of the tone of the session? Will voters continue to be dissolutioned by the two major parties? How will the veto-proof majority in one chamber and near veto-proof in the other impact the rhetoric? We’ll know in a couple of months.

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Post-Election Voter Registration Mirrors Election Results

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

 Given the Democratic Party dominance in the general election, it is not surprising to see November 2018 voter registration mirror the election results; Democratic and Non-Partisan gains and GOP loses.

Except for the rural counties. The Democratic Party gained voter share while the Republican Party experienced significant loses. This trend shows not only in tracked demographics but also across state congressional and legislative districts. And while the number of active registered voters in Nevada increased by 25,000, the Republican Party saw a much lower rate of growth than either the Democratic Party or Non-Partisan.

State-Wide

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 10,975 1.83 38.41 0.09
R 6,068 1.16 33.37 -0.15
NP 6,297 1.84 21.96 0.05
IAP 1,727 1.77 4.34 0.01
LIB 310 1.99 1.00 0.00
Other 220 1.55 0.91 0.00
Total not D or R     28.21 0.06

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Clark County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 9,883 2.16 41.98 0.09
R 4,757 1.48 29.22 -0.13
NP 5,195 2.08 22.89 0.03
IAP 1365 2.12 4.09 0.01
LIB 242 2.42 0.92 0.00
Other 176 1.79 0.90 0.00
Total not D or R     28.80 0.04

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Washoe County

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 835 0.88 35.14 0.01
R 537 0.54 36.93 -0.11
NP 684 1.21 21.04 0.08
IAP 209 1.14 4.40 0.01
LIB 43 1.28 1.26 0.01
Other 31 0.94 1.23 0.00
Total not D or R     27.93 0.10

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

Rural Counties

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 257 0.57 22.85 -0.06
R 774 0.76 51.77 -0.03
NP 418 1.18 18.04 0.07
IAP 115 1.03 5.66 0.01
LIB 25 1.12 1.13 0.00
Other 13 1.21 0.55 0.00
Total not D or R     25.38 0.08

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 3,807 2.32 38.68 0.13
R 1,403 1.44 22.74 -0.12
NP 2,551 1.93 30.97 -0.01
IAP 604 2.08 4.50 0.01
LIB 126 1.72 1.72 0.00
Other 79 1.33 1.39 -0.01
Total not D or R     38.58 -0.01

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, and others

55+

Party Change in # Voters % Change % Voter Share Difference in Voter Share %
D 3,249 1.30 38.77 0.03
R 2,776 1.04 41.25 -0.08
NP 1,415 1.47 14.91 0.04
IAP 496 1.52 4.09 0.01
LIB 47 1.65 0.44 0.00
Other 47 1.37 0.53 0.00
Total not D or R     19.98 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 0 4 0
Republican 4 0 0
Non-Partisan 0 4 0
IAP 0 4 0
LIB 0 4 0
Other 0 0 4

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 5 15 1
Republican 21 0 0
Non-Partisan 4 15 2
IAP 3 11 7
LIB 1 9 11
Other 4 2 15

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 11 28 3
Republican 40 1 1
Non-Partisan 10 32 0
IAP 10 22 10
LIB 5 17 20
Other 11 12 19

In 33 districts (7857%) 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.

Non-Partisan voters are now 22 percent of active registered voters with 28 percent not registered as either Democratic or Republican. In the largest voting bloc, Baby Boomers, 20 percent are not affiliated with either major party, 15 percent Non-Partisan and among those between the ages of 18 and 34, these number are 39 percent and 31 percent respectfully. Only five percent separate the Democratic and Republican Party statewide and in what was once a solid GOP county, Washoe, less than two percent separate the two major parties; 28 percent are not affiliated with either party with 21 percent Non-Partisan.

Nevada voters just approved automatic voter registration. Now whenever an eligible person does business at the Department of Motor Vehicles they will be automatically registered to vote or if they are already registered their registration will be updated (if needed) unless they specifically say “no”. Because of the way the process is written, the number of Non-Partisan voters is expected to rise significantly. Only time will tell but will Non-Partisans become the largest segment of voters by 2020?

 

 

 

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State-Wide Poll Shows Nevada Voters Want a Better System and Ranked Choice Voting

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform and Scott Siebel and Katie Dahl – FairVote

The time is ripe for political reform in Nevada, with voters eager for more fair and democratic elections.

According to a recent statewide poll sponsored by Nevadans for Election Reform and FairVote, issue-focused elections, higher voter turnout and majority winners topped the list of reforms for Nevada voters. Voters also believe the ability to rank candidates; 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, is a good idea.

Highlights from the poll include:

  • 94 percent of survey takers said replacing negative attacks with issue-focused campaigning was “somewhat” or “very” important, including majorities from both Republican and Democratic voters;
  • 80 percent said increasing voter turnout was “very” or “somewhat” important;
  • 79 percent said majority winners (candidates earning over 50 percent of votes) were “very” or “somewhat” important; and
  • 58 percent said they were “very” or “somewhat” likely to support a reform that would end the “lesser of two evils” dynamic at play in single-choice voting systems.
  • 56 percent said ranked choice voting is a “very good” or “somewhat good” system.

All of these values are linked to a ranked choice voting system, suggesting that with increased public awareness – as well as increasing use in cities and as of Nov. 6, 2018, the entire state of Maine – an overwhelming majority of voters will recognize ranked ballots as the best way to see their values realized in elections.

Nevadans for Election Reform will continue our on-the-ground efforts to educate voters and collaborating with our national partners at FairVote to bring Nevada to the forefront of fair and democratic elections.

 

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