April Voter Registration Not Good for Major Parties

Voter registration for April 2017 again was not kind to either the Democratic or Republican Party. Once again, they lost voter share over most demographics while the percentage of voters registered as Non-Partisan and in one of the minor parties increased.

The only bright spots for either of the major political parties were in Washoe County where the GOP gained, in the rural counties where both parties gained, and among 18 – 34 year olds where the Democratic Party gained.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-227	-0.04	39.39	0.00
R	-1,026	-0.21	33.16	-0.06
NP	272	0.09	20.93	0.03
Other	351	0.37	6.52	0.03
Total not D or R			27.45	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP 0.00%; Lib +0.45%; other 5 parties +1.71%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,492	0.34	43.10	-0.04
R	978	0.33	28.89	-0.03
NP	1,279	0.57	21.85	0.03
Other	764	1.22	6.16	0.05
Total not D or R			28.01	0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.74%; Lib +1.02%; other 5 parties +3.06%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-1,110	-1.17	35.60	-0.08
R	-726	-0.74	37.24	0.08
NP	-505	-0.96	19.90	0.00
Other	-212	-1.10	7.25	-0.01
Total not D or R			27.15	-0.01

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -1.18%; Lib -0.31%; other 5 parties -1.49%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-609	-1.34	24.21	0.01
R	-1,278	-1.34	51.06	0.03
NP	-502	-1.54	17.31	-0.03
Other	-201	-1.44	7.42	-0.01
Total not D or R			24.73	-0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -1.51%; Lib -0.83%; other 5 parties -1.82%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-434	-0.27	39.55	0.05
R	-913	-1.00	22.60	-0.14
NP	-301	-0.25	29.72	0.05
Other	29	0.09	8.13	0.04
Total not D or R			37.85	0.09

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -0.48%; Lib +0.40%; other 5 parties +1.18%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	215	0.09	39.86	-0.03
R	235	0.10	40.53	-0.02
NP	294	0.34	14.39	0.03
Other	167	0.53	5.21	0.02
Total not D or R			19.60	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.40%; Lib +0.30%; other 5 parties +1.60%

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	4	0	0
Republican	3	1	0
Non-Partisan	1	3	0
Other	1	3	0

Unchanged. 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. In CD2 the number of voters not affiliated with either major party is rapidly approaching the 5% difference against the Democratic Party (5.07%)

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	17	2	2
Republican	17	4	0
Non-Partisan	4	17	0
Other	3	18	1

Unchanged. In 14 districts (66.7%) 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	34	4	4
Republican	31	10	1
Non-Partisan	7	32	3
Other	7	32	3

Unchanged. 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.

The 2017 legislative session has past the midway point. Voters appear not to be impressed and continue to express that in their voter registrations.

April 4, 2017July 23, 2017

As Number of Registered Voters Declines Dems Take The Biggest Hit

March 2017 saw the number of active registered voters in Nevada decline by almost 32,000 and while the Republican Party, Non-Partisan, and minor parties still posted growth in voter share with minor exception, the Democratic Party continued to lose share across all tracked demographics.

Of note, in Clark County the percentage of voters not affiliated with either major party is less than one percent (0.99%) of the Republican Party. In the rural counties the percent not affiliated with the major parties exceeds that registered in the Democratic Party by 0.57% and among voters 18 to 34 years of age the percent registered as Non-Partisan exceeds the percent registered as Republican by 6.93% while the percent not registered as either Democratic or Republican is just 1.74% less than those registered to vote as Democratic.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-14,463	-2.43	39.39	-0.12
R	-8,447	-1.69	33.22	0.14
NP	-7,183	-2.28	20.90	-0.03
Other	1,879	-1.92	6.49	0.01
Total not D or R			27.39	-0.02

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -1.75%; Lib -1.74%; other 5 parties -2.75%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-14,362	-3.15	43.14	-0.04
R	-8,611	-2.83	28.92	0.07
NP	-7,418	-3.22	21.82	-0.03
Other	-1,968	-3.05	6.11	0.00
Total not D or R			27.93	-0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -2.83%; Lib -3.13%; other 5 parties -3.77%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-160	-0.17	35.68	-0.04
R	-63	-0.06	37.16	0.00
NP	27	0.05	19.90	0.02
Other	9	0.05	7.26	0.00
Total not D or R			27.16	0.02

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.10%; Lib +0.59%; other 5 parties -0.57%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	59	0.13	24.20	-0.04
R	227	0.24	51.03	-0.04
NP	208	0.64	17.34	0.06
Other	80	0.58	7.43	0.02
Total not D or R			24.77	0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.48%; Lib +0.78%; other 5 parties +1.20%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-5,969	-3.64	39.50	-0.12
R	-2,949	-3.14	22.74	0.05
NP	-3,930	-3.21	29.67	0.04
Other	-967	-3.57	8.09	0.04
Total not D or R			37.76	0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -2.83%; Lib -2.31%; other 5 parties -3.57%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-3,205	-1.31	39.89	-0.13
R	-1,910	-0.77	40.55	0.09
NP	-742	-0.85	14.36	0.02
Other	-237	-0.75	5.19	0.01
Total not D or R			19.55	0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -0.76%; Lib -0.30%; other 5 parties -0.98%

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

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. In CD2 the number of voters not affiliated with either major party is rapidly approaching the 5% difference against the Democratic Party (5.07%)

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	17	3	1
Republican	5	15	1
Non-Partisan	12	9	0
Other	11	9	1

In 14 districts (66.7%) 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 last month.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	31	9	2
Republican	12	27	3
Non-Partisan	17	24	1
Other	15	22	5

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.

With the Democratic Party continuing its decline, one has to wonder why state senate leadership felt it unnecessary to reach out to the growing Non-Partisan and minor party voters. Was killing the open primary bill, SB 103 in the best interest of the party? Voter registration trends provide the answer.

March 22, 2017July 23, 2017

Does Speaker’s Statement Imply Support for SB 103? – Opinion

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has vetoed the legislature’s party line passage of IP-1. This initiative would have replaced the state’s current opt-in system of voter registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with an opt-out automatic voter registration process. The measure will now be decided by the voters in the November, 2018 general election.

In response to the veto, Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson was quoted in the Nevada Independent;
“Nevadans agree that we need to have a voting system that protects the fundamental right of every eligible voter— Democrat, Republican, non-partisan or otherwise. Voting is a right, not a privilege and we should make it easy for Nevadans to hold their own government accountable. While I’m disappointed by the governor’s decision to veto IP1, I look forward to the people having the final say in 2018.”

Does the Speaker’s statement imply support for SB 103? In a top-two open primary election the right of every voter, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in publicly funded elections is protected. In a top-two open primary election the right of every candidate to face the voters in all phases of the election process is protected. With full participation as provided for in a top-two open primary, the opportunity for Nevadans to hold their elected officials accountable is maximized.

“..a voting system that protects the fundamental right of every eligible voter— Democrat, Republican, non-partisan or otherwise.”

“Voting is a right, not a privilege..”

“..make it easy for Nevadans to hold their own government accountable.”

In their Nevada Blueprint for the current session of the legislature, the Democratic Caucus is clearly focused on voting rights. “We also need to protect our heritage. That means preserving Nevada’s natural environment, protecting our constitutional rights, and making it easier for our citizens to participate in the democratic process.”

“..making it easier for our citizens to participate in the democratic process.”

Reading these statements I find it difficult understand Democratic opposition to SB 103. The only concerns I have heard is that a top-two open primary will not benefit the party and that if voters want to participate in the primary they can register in the party.

Benefits to the party? Yes. Voters have left and continue to leave or not affiliate with both major political parties because the parties do not represent them. This trend continues every month and is most pronounced among voter between the ages of 18 to 34. Under a top-two open primary, candidates must reach out to a broader range of voters. As this happens, the parties will return to representing those voters. Because the desire to belong is human nature, voters would most likely return to the parties. Also as the parties and their candidates demonstrate more inclusiveness they would most like draw more support.

Parties rights of association; voters can register if they want to participate in the primary? The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld that a top-two open primary where the top two vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, move forward to the general election does not violate a political party’s right of association. Saying voters can join a party also ignores why voters are knowingly withdrawing from the process and why Non-Partisan is the only category gaining voter share across all demographics month after month while both the Democratic and Republican Party lose voter share.

Reading Speaker Frierson’s statement on Governor Sandoval’s veto of IP-1 and the Democratic Caucus’ Nevada Blueprint, the assumption would be that the Democratic Caucus in the Nevada legislature would be in full support of SB 103. Instead it appears efforts to block even a hearing are in full swing.

March 3, 2017July 23, 2017

Democratic Party Losses Outpace GOP While Non-Partisan and Minor Parties Continue to Gain

The 2017 session of the Nevada Legislature is finishing its first month and Voter registration numbers for February, 2017 do not bode well for the majority party.

The Democratic Party lost voter share across all tracked demographics. The Republican Party lost share except in Washoe County and stayed even in the rural counties. However, the news remains positive for Non-Partisan and minor parties, continuing the trend of gaining voter share.

Of note is the growth percentage for the Libertarian Party in Clark County, among those 55 and over and state-wide; 1.00%, 0.76%, and 0.74% respectively. The Independent American Party also posted a 0.89% growth in Clark County, however, there is always a question as to how many of those voters thought they were registering as independents (Non-Partisan).

The Democratic Party also lost ground in virtually all state senate and assembly districts while the Republican Party voter share losses and gains were about even.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	494	0.08	39.51	-0.04
R	682	0.14	33.07	-0.02
NP	1,271	0.40	20.94	0.05
Other	360	0.37	6.48	0.02
Total not D or R			27.42	0.07

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.45%; Lib +0.74%; other 5 parties -0.21%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,417	0.31	43.18	-0.05
R	1,208	0.40	28.85	-0.01
NP	1,499	0.65	21.85	0.04
Other	456	0.71	6.11	0.01
Total not D or R			27.96	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.89%; Lib +1.00%; other 5 parties -0.11%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-640	-0.67	35.71	-0.11
R	-195	-0.20	37.16	0.07
NP	-149	-0.28	19.88	0.02
Other	-35	-0.18	7.26	0.02
Total not D or R			27.14	0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -0.20%; Lib -0.22%; other 5 parties -0.44%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-283	-0.62	24.24	-0.06
R	-331	-0.35	51.07	0.03
NP	-79	-0.24	17.28	0.03
Other	-35	-0.18	7.41	0.00
Total not D or R			24.69	0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP -0.58%; Lib +0.42%; other 5 parties -0.55%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-119	-0.07	39.62	-0.01
R	-180	-0.19	22.69	-0.04
NP	82	0.07	29.63	0.03
Other	19	-0.06	8.06	0.01
Total not D or R			37.69	0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.17%; Lib +0.55%; other 5 parties -0.62%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	444	0.18	40.01	-0.06
R	825	0.33	40.46	0.00
NP	483	0.55	14.34	0.03
Other	183	0.58	5.18	0.01
Total not D or R			19.52	0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.55%; Lib +0.76%; other 5 parties +0.63%

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	4	0	0
Republican	2	1	1
Non-Partisan	0	4	0
Other	0	4	0

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	20	1	0
Republican	9	11	1
Non-Partisan	2	18	1
Other	2	19	0

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	37	2	3
Republican	21	18	3
Non-Partisan	8	32	2
Other	6	32	4

The percent of voters not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party is on a pace to equal and perhaps surpass the percent registered to vote in one of the major parties. Among those 18 to 34 years of age, the number of Non-Partisan is seven percentage points higher than those registered in the GOP and the total not affiliated with a major party is only two percent lower than the percent registered as Democratic.

February 27, 2017July 23, 2017

Some Interesting Facts

Did you know:

Nevada currently uses the top-two primary for non-partisan offices such as city council and judges.

Nevada did not require party affiliation on voter registration until 1909 and in the primary elections from 1910 through 1916 all candidates were listed on the same ballot allowing all voters to cast their vote.

If automatic voter registration is enacted this legislative session, voters who do not specify a party will be automatically registered as Non-Partisan and not be allowed to vote in the primary election for most offices under the current system; an unintended consequence.

February 7, 2017July 23, 2017

SB 103 We Have a Bill

Senator Settelmeyer’s top-two primary bill just had its first reading on the floor of the Nevada Senate. The bill is SB 103. You can read it here.

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/BDR/BDR79_24-0521.pdf

February 2, 2017July 23, 2017

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

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

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?

January 23, 2017July 23, 2017

Nevada Democratic Caucus Blueprint, Voting Rights, and NEMRA

UPDATE (February 18, 2017)

For the 2017 session, the Democratic Caucus changed the Blueprint. The following is in the introduction signed by both Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford and Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson; “We also need to protect our heritage. That means preserving Nevada’s natural environment, protecting our constitutional rights, and making it easier for our citizens to participate in the democratic process.”

“Though Democrats won’t release their full slate of legislative priorities until February, one issue both Ford and Frierson have already highlighted as critical in the upcoming session is expanding voting rights, especially amid fears that the Trump Administration won’t fight against initiatives that could disenfranchise minority groups.”

The above paragraph (bold highlight added) is from an article by Megan Messerly and Michelle Rindels, “Ford and Frierson: Will the Legislature’s new leaders be complements or competitors?”published by The Nevada Independent on January 21, 2017.

During the 2015 session of the Nevada legislature, the Democratic caucus published the “Nevada Blueprint”. This document outlines the principles and legislative goals of the caucus.

From that document (bold highlight added)

PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS

Our Nevada Blueprint Will:

Fight to ensure that voting is free, fair, and accessible for all eligible voters in Nevada.
Protect every Nevadan’s right to his or her day in court.
Encourage voter participation by providing for same-day voter registration, implementing Election Day vote centers, and automating the DMV’s voter registration system.

“..expanding voting rights” and “..accessible for all eligible voters..”. At the end of 2016, over 27 percent of registered voters in Nevada are not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party. Nearly 21 percent are registered as Non-Partisan. Month after month, both major political parties lose voter share while Non-Partisan and minor parties gain. This trend is across all demographics; Clark and Washoe Counties, the rural counties, those between the ages of 18 to 34 (percentage in this group are 10 percent higher than the state total), those over 55, and throughout all state senate and assembly districts.

For partisan elected offices, Nevada uses the closed primary system. Voters must be registered as either Democratic or Republican to help select the party’s candidates for the general election. Political parties are private organizations protected by the first amendment’s right of association. It is their right to conduct their internal operations and select their candidates as they see fit. This right has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, in Nevada, all taxpayers pay for primary elections. Democratic Party members are paying for the Republican Party primary and vice versa along with their own. Non-Partisans and members of minor political parties are paying for both parties’ primary elections. Taxpayers are paying for something they are blocked from participating in. Taxpayers funding internal operations of a political party may be unconstitutional.

As voter registration statistics show, an increasing number of voters are showing their frustration by voluntarily giving up their right to participate in part of their voting franchise. Yes, this is a choice, but the choice is being driven by the system and current level of political divisiveness.

“..expanding voting rights” and “..accessible for all eligible voters..”. Under the current system, voters’ rights are being curtailed and all elections are not accessible for all eligible voters. The Democratic caucus’ Blueprint places an emphasis on correcting these systemic flaws.

The Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) provides the means for the Democratic caucus to satisfy this goal of their agenda. State Senator James Settelmeyer (R-Minden) has filed a bill draft request (BDR).

Ensuring all voters are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in all elections is part of the Democratic caucus Nevada Blueprint. The caucus should work to pass Senator Settelmeyer’s bill.

January 20, 2017November 18, 2017

Another Year and the Partisan Divide Keeps Growing

As we start a new year and a new presidency, Pew Research once again takes a look at the partisan division in this country. The January, 2017 poll does not bode well. I last posted about this last January.

With the inauguration of President Trump just completed and what may have been the most negative campaign cycle in recent memory behind us, optimism leads to the thought that perhaps the partisan divide could narrow. If the Pew report is any indication, the reverse is more likely.

Going into 2017, 86 percent of those polled say the country is more politically divided. Pew Research has been tracking the partisan divide since 2004 and this is the highest result ever recorded. Even more ominous is the fact that 71 percent think this division will either remain the same or get worse (40 percent remain the same, 31 percent get worse).

What about the chances lawmakers will come together and reach agreement? Republicans are more optimistic with 50 percent believing they will not work with the other party. Conversely, among Democratic Party members, 72 percent say that animosity and refusal to come together will continue.

For government at all levels to function, this environment cannot exist. Respectful disagreement and discussion of the issues is paramount if collaboration and cooperation are to flourish. Only then will issues be positively addressed.

The Nevada legislature has the opportunity to become the first state legislature to implement a process that could lead to lessening the partisan divide. Normally changes that are required are the result of voter initiatives. A bill draft request (BDR) has been submitted by Senator James Settelmeyer (R-Minden) that would put in place a system that has shown to focus campaigns and the act of legislating on the issues rather than on the next election. (Talk of who will run in 2018 and 2020 are already filling the media) The system contained in this BDR forces candidates and elected officials to focus on all voters rather than just their political party’s so-called base. It addresses head on the voter registration dynamics that show the major political parties losing voter share while registrations as Non-Partisan and to minor political parties increase.

The Nevada legislature convenes in two weeks, February 6, 2017. Let Nevada take the lead in taking the first step to narrow the partisan divide so that future polls show a different result.

January 11, 2017July 23, 2017

December Not Good for Major Parties As Both Lose Voter Share While Non-Partisan and Minor Parties Gain

December, 2016 Voter registration numbers are in and the trend continues. Even though the state recorded only a small gain in active registered voters (943), the anomaly that was November gave way to a continuation of the trend where both the Democratic and Republican Party lost voter share while Non-Partisan and minor parties continue to gain. As what has become normal, the trend is across all demographics, state-wide, Clark County, Washoe County, rural counties, among 18 to 34 year olds and those 55 and over.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-147	-0.02	39.55	-0.04
R	32	0.01	33.11	-0.02
NP	548	0.17	20.88	0.03
Other	510	0.53	6.46	0.03
Total not D or R			27.34	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.64%; Lib +0.80%; other 5 parties -0.12%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-197	-0.04	43.23	-0.02
R	-311	-0.1	28.88	-0.03
NP	30	0.01	21.79	0.00
Other	365	0.57	6.09	0.03
Total not D or R			27.88	0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.73%; Lib +0.77%; other 5 parties -0.09%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	30	0.03	35.83	-0.05
R	121	0.12	37.09	-0.01
NP	228	0.43	19.84	0.05
Other	64	0.33	7.24	0.01
Total not D or R			27.08	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.43%; Lib +0.85%; other 5 parties -0.41%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	20	0.04	24.31	-0.07
R	222	0.23	51.04	-0.05
NP	290	0.90	17.23	0.10
Other	81	0.58	7.41	0.01
Total not D or R			24.64	0.11

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.53%; Lib +0.90%; other 5 parties +0.55%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-567	-0.34	39.63	-0.03
R	-388	-0.41	22.74	-0.04
NP	-222	-0.18	29.58	0.02
Other	78	0.23	8.04	0.04
Total not D or R			37.62	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.43%; Lib +0.56%; other 5 parties -0.48%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	484	0.20	40.07	-0.05
R	768	0.31	40.48	0.00
NP	639	0.74	14.29	0.03
Other	233	0.75	5.16	0.02
Total not D or R			19.45	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.

Change is # voters: IAP +0.80%; Lib +0.69%; other 5 parties +0.44%

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	3	0	1
Republican	4	0	0
Non-Partisan	0	4	0
Other	0	4	0

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	16	5	0
Republican	17	4	0
Non-Partisan	5	14	2
Other	1	19	1

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	30	10	2
Republican	32	8	2
Non-Partisan	11	29	2
Other	5	34	3

We are less than a month from the start of the 2017 Nevada legislative session. A bill draft request (BDR) has been filed to acknowledge this continuing trend. If passed, Nevada will be the first state legislature to positively address election reform; election reform normally takes a voter initiative petition.