Blog – Page 12

January 3, 2018January 15, 2018

Voter Share Loses Haunt Democratic Party in 2017

2017 year-end voter registration numbers are in and the Democratic Party lost nearly a full percent in voter share in 2017. Non-Partisan was the big winner gaining nearly one-half a percent in voter share with voters 18 to 34 years of age registering the highest variances. In December, voter share loses continue to plague the Democratic Party across all demographics and in all legislative districts. Once again the party lost voter share in all four Congressional districts, all state senate districts, and all but two state assembly district while the Republican Party showed mixed results for the month and overall increase in voter share for 2017.

The end of 2017 also showed another milestone; all demographics tracked below have at least 20 percent of registered voters not registered as either Democratic or Republican.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	811	0.14	38.71	-0.05	39.55	-0.84
R	1,210	0.25	33.50	-0.01	33.11	0.39
NP	1,674	0.54	21.30	0.06	20.88	0.43
Other	250	0.26	6.49	0.00	6.46	0.03
Total not D or R			27.79	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.30/0.00%; Lib 0.76/0.00%; other 5 parties -0.32/-0.01%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	1,302	0.30	42.30	-0.08	43.23	-0.93
R	1,421	0.48	29.25	0.00	28.88	0.36
NP	1,874	0.83	22.30	0.08	21.79	0.51
Other	350	0.56	6.15	0.00	6.15	0.05
Total not D or R			28.45	0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.30/0.01% Lib 0.90/0.00%; other 5 parties -0.09/-0.01%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	-90	-0.10	35.16	-0.05	35.83	-0.67
R	157	0.17	37.68	0.05	37.09	0.59
NP	29	0.06	20.02	0.00	19.84	0.17
Other	7	0.04	7.14	0.00	7.24	-0.10
Total not D or R			27.16	0.00

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.00/0.00%; Lib 1.09/0.01%; other 5 parties -0.79 / -0.01%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	-401	-0.91	23.65	-0.07	24.31	-0.66
R	-368	-0.38	51.37	0.11	51.04	0.33
NP	-229	-0.70	17.52	-0.02	17.23	0.28
Other	-107	-0.77	7.46	-0.01	7.41	0.05
Total not D or R			24.98	-0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -0.78/-0.01%; Lib -0.40/0.00%; other 5 parties -1.29/0.00%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	-45	-0.03	38.59	-0.04	39.63	-1.03
R	111	0.13	23.16	0.01	22.74	0.41
NP	311	0.27	30.23	0.06	29.58	0.64
Other	-108	-0.35	8.02	-0.03	8.04	-0.02
Total not D or R			38.25	0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -0.15/-0.01%; Lib 0.34/0.00%; other 5 parties -1.50/-0.03%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %	Voter Share Dec. 2016	Yearly Gain / Loss (Difference due to computer rounding)
D	698	0.29	39.32	-0.05	40.07	-0.76
R	974	0.39	40.67	-0.01	40.49	0.17
NP	702	0.78	14.77	0.05	14.29	0.48
Other	178	0.56	5.25	0.01	5.16	0.08
Total not D or R			20.02	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.54/0.01%; Lib 1.13/0.00%; other 5 parties 0.24/0.00%

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

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

CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	10	3
Non-Partisan	3	17	1
Other	3	18	0

In 15 districts (71.43%) 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 number is unchanged from November.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	40	1	1
Republican	19	20	3
Non-Partisan	11	30	1
Other	9	27	6

As voters continue to leave the two major political parties, our election system becomes in jeopardy of electing representatives at all levels of government that do not represent the constituency as a whole. This is not healthy for any segment of society. For this not to happen, the system needs to change to meet the needs of the changing political environment. The decision is ours. Nevadans for Election Reform provides the way.

December 1, 2017January 15, 2018

November Voter Registration Numbers Not Smiling On The Democratic Party

November voter registration data is out and it does not look good for the Democratic Party. Across all demographics; state-wide, Clark County, Washoe County, the rural counties, among voters 18 – 34 years of age and those 55 and over, the party lost voter share while Non-Partisan gained in all but Washoe County where it was unchanged. Minor party registration did almost as well losing share only in Washoe County, gaining in the rural counties and remaining even in the other areas. The Democratic Party also lost voter share in all 21 state senate districts and 41 of the 42 state assembly districts. In assembly district 40 (37,231 active registered voters) the party lost 990 voters while Non-Partisan gained 1,000.

The growth in voter share of the Republican Party is worth noting. Until August, the GOP was suffering similar loss of voter share as the Democratic Party. The party seems to have, at least temporarily, reversed that trend gaining voter share each of the past four months. We will see if this new trend continues.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,563	0.28	38.76	-0.08
R	2,686	0.55	33.51	0.02
NP	2,403	0.78	21.25	0.06
Other	419	0.45	6.49	0.00
Total not D or R			27.74	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.49/0.00%; Lib 1.08/0.01%; other 5 parties -0.28/-0.01%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,458	0.34	42.38	-0.10
R	1,968	0.66	29.25	0.02
NP	2,120	0.94	22.23	0.08
Other	364	0.58	6.14	0.00
Total not D or R			28.37	-0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.62/0.00% Lib 1.44/0.01%; other 5 parties -0.19/-0.01%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	104	0.12	35.21	-0.05
R	406	0.43	37.63	0.07
NP	118	0.24	20.01	0.00
Other	-4	-0.02	7.14	-0.02
Total not D or R			27.15	-0.02

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.10/-0.01%; Lib 0.16/0.00%; other 5 parties -0.58 / -0.01%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1	0.00	23.73	-0.07
R	312	0.33	51.26	0.02
NP	165	0.51	17.53	0.04
Other	59	0.42	7.48	0.01
Total not D or R			25.01	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.41/0.01%; Lib 0.90/0.01%; other 5 parties -0.28/0.00%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	106	0.07	38.63	-0.14
R	671	0.76	23.15	0.07
NP	773	0.68	30.17	0.07
Other	119	0.39	8.06	0.00
Total not D or R			38.23	0.07

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.21/-0.01%; Lib 1.11/0.01%; other 5 parties 0.17/0.00%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	917	0.38	39.37	-0.06
R	1,413	0.57	40.68	0.01
NP	729	0.82	14.72	0.04
Other	213	0.67	5.24	0.01
Total not D or R			19.96	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP 0.74/0.01%; Lib -0.66/0.00%; other 5 parties 0.16/0.00%

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	0	0	0
Other	2	0	2

CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	5	15	1
Non-Partisan	1	19	1
Other	10	6	5

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	41	0	1
Republican	9	28	5
Non-Partisan	4	38	0
Other	16	17	9

In 32 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. This is an increase of one (AD 40).

Except for the segment of voters 55 years of age and older, well over a quarter of voters are not affiliated with either major political party. Among those 18 – 34 years of age, the number is rapidly approaching 40 percent. For government to function for all citizens, this voluntary disengagement must be addressed. Nevadans for Election Reform provides the means.

November 2, 2017January 15, 2018

Routine Voter List Maintenance Benefits GOP

The secretary of state’s office performed routine voter list maintenance* in October. While the overall number of active registered voters declined by over 36,000, the Republican Party came out the winner increasing voter share in all categories. The maintenance had mixed results for Non-Partisan and minor parties, however, the bad news continues for the Democratic Party; they lost voter share across all demographics.
(* Routine voter list maintenance is done quarterly and involves the moving of voters found to be inactive from the active to inactive lists, the removal of voters reported to be deceased, and removal of voters who have unregistered)

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-17,616	-3.03	38.84	-0.24
R	-6,440	-1.31	33.48	0.38
NP	-9,033	-2.86	21.18	-0.09
Other	-3,001	-3.09	6.49	-0.04
Total not D or R			27.67	-0.13

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -2.60 / -0.01%; Lib -2.20% / 0.00%; other 5 parties -5.71% /-0.04

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-17,768	-3.96	42.48	-0.18
R	-7,174	-2.36	29.22	0.36
NP	-9,360	-4.00	22.15	-0.10
Other	-3,102	-4.74	6.14	-0.08
Total not D or R			28.29	-0.18

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -4.04% /-0.02%; Lib -4.01% / 0.00%; other 5 parties –7.70% / -0.05%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	220	0.25	35.25	-0.04
R	431	0.46	37.57	0.03
NP	212	0.43	20.02	0.01
Other	59	0.33	7.17	0.00
Total not D or R			27.19	0.01

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP +0.33% / 0.00%; Lib +0.88% / 0.01%; other 5 parties -0.15 / -0.01%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-68	-0.15	23.79	-0.09
R	303	0.32	51.24	0.06
NP	115	0.35	17.50	0.03
Other	42	0.30	7.47	0.01
Total not D or R			24.97	0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP +0.18% / 0.00%; Lib +1.43% / 0.01%; other 5 parties -0.46% / 0.00%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-8,094	-5.20	38.77	-0.38
R	-2,065	-2.30	23.07	0.47
NP	-5,237	-4.37	30.09	-0.03
Other	-1,629	-5.05	8.06	-0.06
Total not D or R			38.15	-0.09

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -4.47% / -0.01%; Lib -3.47% / +0.01%; other 5 parties -7.82% / -0.07%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-3,566	-1.46	39.43	-0.16
R	-1,600	-0.64	40.66	0.17
NP	-886	-0.98	14.68	0.01
Other	-486	-1.50	5.23	-0.02
Total not D or R			19.91	-0.01

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.
Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -1.38% / -0.01%; Lib -0.47% / 0.00%; other 5 parties -3.05% / -0.01%

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	3	1	0

CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	20	1	0
Republican	1	20	0
Non-Partisan	15	5	1
Other	17	4	4

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	37	4	1
Republican	3	39	0
Non-Partisan	32	9	1
Other	35	5	2

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. As was the case in the senate, the changes in AD 9 and 42 reverted back, however, the overall number did not change.

When routine voter list maintenance is performed, decreases in all data elements are the norm. Whether the increase in GOP voter share is strictly a result of this or if other factors also are influencing growth will not be known for a few months.

With candidates for state and federal offices entering the races just seven months before the closed primaries, voter share will become increasingly important. If trends remain intact, fewer voters will be determining who all voters chose between next November in the general election. Voters voluntarily putting themselves in that position send a clear message that the system is broken. Nevadans for Election Reform has the fix.

October 16, 2017January 15, 2018

Compromise or Collaborate – There is a BIG Difference – OPINION

We hear it all the time; elected officials must compromise to solve our problems. I don’t agree. Compromise will not address the hyper-partisan division gripping our society and preventing governments at all levels from actually governing. In fact, compromise could create even more resentment. What is needed is COLLABORATION.

Wait, aren’t they the same thing? Not even close. Let’s look at their definitions:

“Compromise: an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.”
“Collaborate: work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something.”

Please read those carefully. When compromising, each party is required to make concessions, give something up. However, when collaborating, participants are working together to create something.

Issues resolved by collaborating, all sides working together to reach a solution will most likely have greater support, greater buy-in, have a better success rate, and be long-lasting. Conversely, if any side has to make concessions, give in or give something up, the solution will probably be only reluctantly supported, in jeopardy of failing, and create resentment which could carry over to the next need to resolve a problem.

I first became aware of the difference during the 2011 special election for Nevada’s second congressional district. The race was between Republican Mark Amodei, Democratic Party candidate Kate Marshall, and Non-Partisan candidate Helm Lehmann. It was Helm who explained why he never used the word “compromise” but instead used “collaboration”. I have not used “compromise” since.

Our politics are in shambles. Government at all levels has stopped working. Even worse, our society has become almost tribal with political views determining who our friends are, how we treat co-workers, even who we sit next to in church. Our economy has improved, but it could be much better if our governments could actually govern. Business and the economy thrive when business can plan. That’s missing. Social issues are at a boiling point because those responsible to devise and implement solutions won’t talk to one another. Solutions reached as a result of collaboration are needed. If opposing sides only compromise, the issues we face will most likely resurface in the future and when they do, will be more difficult to resolve because one side gave up more than they believe they should have the first time – resentment.

The question we must address is how do we create an environment where collaboration can begin and flourish? We do this by electing leaders who put their constituents over political party and special interests. However, this cannot happen under our current election process. Closed partisan primary elections, where an average of less than 20 percent of either Democratic or Republican Party voters cast ballots for their party’s nominees, produce general election candidates indebted to a narrow party base and special interests. In the general election, minor party and independent candidates are marginalized, and all voters are usually left with choosing the lesser of two evils.

Nevadans for Election Reform has begun the effort to change this, to create a process where candidates must reach out to all voters from the start of the campaign. All voters will have a real choice, a true voice in who represents them. Once elected, the process will require officials to put constituents above party and special interest. Collaboration not only will be encouraged, it will be necessary. You can read about the Greater Choice – Greater Voice initiative here.

We need to change the mindset. We need to stop saying “compromise” and start saying “collaborate”. When someone mentions the need to compromise, it is up to us to change the conversation to collaboration. People must understand the difference.

We, the voters of Nevada, are in charge. We can make this change happen. We can ensure it is our voices our legislators listen to not those of special interests. We are the ones that will ensure we have a greater choice and greater voice.

If you agree and want to help, please consider donating or volunteering here.

October 4, 2017January 15, 2018

Democratic Party Continues to Take a Beating in Voter Registration

September voter registration data is out and the Democratic Party continues to suffer a steady loss of voter share across all demographics.

While Non-Partisan continues to show steady growth, the Republican Party also showed an increase in voter share in Clark County and among those 18 to 34 years of age. GOP voter share also remained unchanged across the state and in Washoe County. Of the minor political parties, the Independent American Party had mixed raw number changes while holding a steady voter share, the Libertarian Party showed overall increases in raw numbers with no change in voter share, and the “other” category which includes the Green Party lost raw number and voter share.

It is important to note that Non-Partisan voter share in Washoe County topped 20 percent for the first time and the percentage of voters not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party is closing in on 40 percent.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	695	0.12	39.08	-0.06
R	1,296	0.26	33.10	0.00
NP	1,856	0.59	21.28	0.07
Other	33	0.03	6.53	-0.02
Total not D or R			27.81	0.05

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access.Change is # voters / voter share: IAP +0.25% / 0.00%; Lib +0.59% / 0.59%; other 5 parties -1.23% / -0.02%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,376	0.31	42.66	-0.09
R	1,779	0.59	28.87	0.02
NP	2,060	0.89	22.25	0.08
Other	159	0.24	6.22	-0.02
Total not D or R			28.47	0.06

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP +0.55% /0.00%; Lib +0.98% / 0.00%; other 5 parties -1.35% / -0.02%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-530	-0.60	35.30	-0.03
R	-486	-0.52	37.53	0.00
NP	-181	-0.36	20.01	0.03
Other	-88	-0.47	7.17	0.00
Total not D or R			27.18	0.03

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -0.33% / 0.01%; Lib -0.32% / 0.00%; other 5 parties -1.18 / -0.01%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-151	-0.34	23.88	-0.05
R	3	0.00	51.19	0.06
NP	-23	-0.07	17.47	0.01
Other	-38	-0.27	7.46	-0.01
Total not D or R			24.93	0.00

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -0.39% / -0.02%; Lib +0.20% / 0.00%; other 5 parties 0.00% / 0.00%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-164	-0.11	39.15	-0.07
R	258	0.29	22.60	0.05
NP	330	0.28	30.12	0.06
Other	-134	-0.41	8.12	-0.04
Total not D or R			38.24	0.02

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP -0.02% / 0.00%; Lib +0.40% / 0.01%; other 5 parties -2.03% / -0.04%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	626	0.26	39.59	-0.06
R	916	0.37	40.49	-0.01
NP	776	0.87	14.66	0.07
Other	141	0.44	5.26	0.00
Total not D or R			19.92	0.07

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters / voter share: IAP +0.41% / 0.00%; Lib +1.26% / 0.00%; other 5 parties 0.03% / 0.00%

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

CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	20	1	0
Republican	7	13	1
Non-Partisan	2	19	0
Other	13	4	4

In 16 districts (76.19%); an increase of one over August, 2017, 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. Note the Democratic Party continues a major loss of voter share.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	37	4	1
Republican	13	24	5
Non-Partisan	4	37	1
Other	26	7	9

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. While the overall number did not change, in AD 9 the percentage of those not affiliated with either major party now exceeds the percent registered in the Republican Party and in AD 42 the percent registered as Non-Partisan exceeds the GOP voter share. As in the senate, the Democratic Party continues to experience a major loss of voter share.

This trend in voter registration is not healthy for our state. Voters no longer feel represented by either major party and their departure means fewer voters; normally the ideological pure of each party, select the winner of an election given Nevada’s close primary system and the way legislative districts are created. Without major change, we could end up with a government of the few rather than the many.

Nevadans for Election Reform has begun preparation of the Greater Choice – Greater Voice initiative which will allow all voters to have a clear choice and loud voice in all elections. Click here for details.

September 15, 2017January 15, 2018

The Political Industry is Failing Itself and Us

In September, 2016 Harvard Business School released a report highlighting that the broken political climate in this county is the largest impediment to economic competitiveness. This September, in a report titled “Why Competition In The Politics Industry Is Failing America; A strategy for reinvigorating our democracy” they look at politics as if it were an industry and how lack of competition is failing to provide for the customers whose interests it is supposed to serve. The authors conclude that only through systemic changes can the political industry recover.

In analyzing the current state of our political environment, the authors find it is not the major political parties or current elected officials that bear the responsibility of failure. Rather it is the lack of competition in the current duopoly that puts us in the bind we are in. The parties and politicians are only acting as the system demands, responding to the interests of special interests and political dogma rather than what is in the best interest of all citizens. “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”

The report is broken down into six parts:

Part I assesses the broken system that has become the major barrier to progress in America.
Part II highlight a political system that is operating not a public institution but a private industry that sets its own rules fundamentally diminishing our democracy.
Part III describes the basic outcomes we should expect from a functioning political system, but are not achieving.
Part IV uses the Five Forces framework to show how the structure of the politics industry has led to the almost complete elimination of political competition thus not serving the needs of the average citizen.
Part V highlights the deliberate changes that have undermined our political system since the early 20th century.
Part VI lays out a strategy for reinvigorating our democracy by addressing the root causes of the current political dysfunction. Change will require action by us because our political system will not heal itself.

The report comes down to a few key points.

The system must deliver solutions to the problems facing the citizenry that are both practical and effective while also expanding opportunity.
The system must allow for action to replace rhetoric
Solutions must receive broad-based support from the citizenry over time
The system must guarantee respect for the Constitution and the rights of all

The current system provides none of these things.

The authors go on to stress the need to return competition to the political industry. The importance of the average voter must become a priority over that of special interests and a small partisan party base. There must be an incentive to solve problems rather than stick to talking points. Barriers to competition must fall so accountability for achieving results can return. Unless changes are made, the current worsening trend will continue. Effective change must include:

Restructuring the election process
Restructuring the governing process
Reforming the role of money in politics
Opening up competition

This report should not be a surprise. It is one more of a series by various organizations going back more than four years. All the reports highlight the growing divide caused by partisanship in this country to where it is now the most divisive issue facing our society. The word “tribal” is appearing more and more in the description.

Nevadans for Election Reform is proud to be putting together the Greater Choice – Greater Voice initiative. If passed by the voters, it will meet the challenges put forth by the authors of this report and return competition to the political industry of Nevada benefiting all Nevadans.

September 7, 2017January 15, 2018

Democratic and Republican Party Could Be Minority Parties by 2018 General Election

As the trend in voter share favoring Non-Partisan and minor parties continues, (click here for August, 2017 data) it now appears that come the 2018 general election, more voters could be registered to vote in those categories than will be registered as either Democratic or Republican. If the change in voter share between August 2016 and August 2017 is applied, those registered as Non-Partisan or as a member of a minor party will be over 30 percent. Among voters 18 to 34 years old, that number will be over 40 percent. And while not quite reaching parity, this number will be over 25 percent in the rural counties and over 20 percent among those 55 years of age and older. These numbers are an estimate based on the past year’s change in voter share. My personal opinion is they will be higher. I doubt they’ll be lower.

Back to last month. On the outward appearance, minor parties appear to have fallen in August, 2017. However, the decrease is due to a glitch where the system assigned new voters who did not specify a party to “other” rather than “Non-Partisan.” Bottom line, the two major parties lost voter share.

Again, the GOP did not lose as badly as the Democratic Party. While the Democratic Party lost voter share across all demographics and almost all state senate and assembly districts, the GOP remained unchanged state-wide and had slight increases in voter share in Clark County, the rural counties, and among those 18 to 34 years of age. The GOP also gained voter share in more state senate and assembly district than they lost share.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	603	0.10	39.14	-0.09
R	1,657	0.34	33.10	0.00
NP	3,518	1.13	21.21	0.17
Other	-988	-1.01	6.55	-0.09
Total not D or R			27.76	0.08

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP +0.40%; Lib +0.80%; other 5 parties -7.30%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,011	0.23	42.75	-0.13
R	1,905	0.63	28.85	0.03
NP	3,499	1.53	22.17	0.22
Other	-947	-1.43	6.24	-0.12
Total not D or R			28.41	0.10

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP +0.68%; Lib +0.93%; other 5 parties -9.47%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-104	-0.12	35.33	-0.04
R	-116	-0.12	37.53	-0.05
NP	199	0.40	19.98	0.08
Other	34	0.19	7.16	0.01
Total not D or R			27.14	0.09

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP +0.33%; Lib +0.68%; other 5 parties -0.69

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-304	-0.68	23.94	-0.07
R	-132	-0.14	51.13	0.12
NP	-180	-0.55	17.46	-0.03
Other	-75	-0.54	7.47	-0.01
Total not D or R			24.93	-0.04

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP -0.68%; Lib +0.36%; other 5 parties -0.73%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-172	-0.11	39.22	-0.14
R	448	0.50	22.55	0.06
NP	1,231	1.04	30.06	0.24
Other	-525	-1.59	8.16	-0.15
Total not D or R			38.22	0.09

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP +0.31%; Lib +0.58%; other 5 parties -7.47%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	535	0.22	39.65	-0.06
R	858	0.35	40.50	-0.01
NP	999	1.13	14.60	0.11
Other	-116	-0.36	5.25	-0.04
Total not D or R			19.85	0.07

Other includes IAP, Lib, and 5 parties without ballot access. Change is # voters: IAP +0.41%; Lib +1.01%; other 5 parties -6.15%

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

Both CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	20	1	0
Republican	6	13	2
Non-Partisan	1	19	1
Other	18	2	1

In 15 districts (71.4%) 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. Note the Democratic Party continues a major loss of voter share. parties gained voter share in all districts.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	38	4	0
Republican	17	23	2
Non-Partisan	3	38	1
Other	35	6	1

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. As in the senate, the Democratic Party continues to experience a major loss of voter share.

As Nevadans continue to lose confidence in the both the Democratic and Republican Party, look for exciting news in the near future from Nevadans for Election Reform.

August 8, 2017January 15, 2018

Partisanship Continues to Define and Divide Us

In two recent polls by Pew Research Center, partisanship in the United States continues to define us and divide us as a nation. This trend has been with us for almost a decade, and with these two reports, shows no sign of changing.

In a poll released July 10, 2017, the organization found that opinion of national institutions; churches / religious organizations, banks / financial institutions, labor unions, the national news media, and colleges / universities, and the impact they have on the nation differs based on political party. The study, “Sharp Partisan Divisions in Views of National Institutions”, shows significant differences in four of the five areas.

Wide partisan differences over the impact of major institutions on the country

In the second poll, “Partisan Shifts in Views of the Nation, but Overall Opinions Remain Negative; Just 26% say ‘their side’ wins more often than it loses in politics” released August 4, 2017 Pew looks at how people view their station in life and how they view the political landscape for “people like them”. It is interesting to note that with the change of the presidency from Democratic to Republican, the percentage who believes their side loses more also switched. In September, 2015, 79 percent of Republicans felt their side loses more. In June, 2017, 79 percent of Democrats feel that way.

Shifting partisan views on how life has changed for ‘people like you’

Partisanship continues to define and divide us as a nation. Those familiar with this blog know this is not the first Pew Research study I have highlighted. Voter frustration with what has been called “tribal” behavior is manifesting itself by voters abandoning both the Democratic and Republican Party, registering without party affiliation; Non-Partisan in Nevada, or in one of the minor political parties.

I believe the political parties will not willingly make the changes needed to reverse this trend and return to a political climate that fosters collaboration and problem solving, where we track wins or loses not by political party but by impact on Americans. After two attempts to have the Nevada legislature act, I am relatively certain it is the voters who will have to make the change. Nevadans for Election Reform is leading this effort in Nevada.

August 1, 2017August 8, 2017

Major Political Parties’ Downward Slide Continues

Can the Democratic and Republican Party in Nevada stop the downward slide in voter share? Looking at the just released voter registration statistics for July, 2017, it does not look like it. The only bright spot for the Republican Party was in the rural counties where they had a slight gain in voter share. Except for that, both the major parties lost voter share across all tracked demographics. As has been the trend, both Non-Partisan and the minor parties gained share.

The bad news does not stop there. For the second consecutive month, the Democratic Party lost voter share in all 21 state senate districts and all but one state assembly district. In the state’s congressional districts, for the first time, both Non-Partisan and minor parties gained voter share in all four districts.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,218	0.21	39.23	-0.08
R	1,574	0.32	33.10	-0.03
NP	1,823	0.59	21.04	0.04
Other	1,340	1.38	6.64	0.06
Total not D or R			27.68	0.10

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.63%; Lib +0.96%; other 5 parties +4.46%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	952	0.21	42.88	-0.08
R	888	0.30	28.81	-0.03
NP	1,189	0.52	21.95	0.03
Other	1,.192	1.83	6.36	0.09
Total not D or R			28.31	0.12

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.71%; Lib +1.11%; other 5 parties +5.97%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	329	0.37	35.37	-0.08
R	526	0.56	37.58	-0.02
NP	534	1.08	19.90	0.09
Other	133	0.75	7.15	0.01
Total not D or R			27.05	0.10

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.95%; Lib +0.89%; other 5 parties -0.03

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-63	-0.14	24.01	-0.06
R	160	0.17	51.01	0.03
NP	100	0.31	17.50	0.03
Other	15	0.11	7.49	0.00
Total not D or R			24.99	0.03

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.01%; Lib +0.36%; other 5 parties +0.64%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	173	0.11	39.36	-0.09
R	237	0.27	22.50	-0.02
NP	456	0.39	29.83	0.02
Other	453	1.39	8.32	0.09
Total not D or R			38.15	0.11

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.40%; Lib +1.10%; other 5 parties +3.86%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	724	0.30	39.71	-0.06
R	1,063	0.43	40.51	-0.01
NP	602	0.69	14.49	0.03
Other	404	1.27	5.29	0.04
Total not D or R			19.78	0.07

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.76%; Lib +0.94%; other 5 parties +4.82%

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	4	0	0
Non-Partisan	0	4	0
Other	0	4	0

Both CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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. Note that Non-Partisan and minor parties gained voter share in all districts.

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	16	3	2
Non-Partisan	2	17	2
Other	0	21	0

In 15 districts (71.4%) and an increase of one over June, 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. Note the Democratic Party lost voter share in all districts for the second consecutive month. At the same time, minor parties gained voter share in all districts.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	41	1	0
Republican	20	19	3
Non-Partisan	11	27	4
Other	7	34	1

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. For the second consecutive month, the Democratic Party lost voter share in all but one district.

Senate bill 103 this last session attempted to address this trend. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford (D – Las Vegas) refused to give the bill a hearing. Not addressing the problem will not make it go away.

July 6, 2017July 23, 2017

Voter List Maintenance Cannot Stop the Trend as Major Parties Continue to Lose Voter Share

While routine list maintenance caused a drop in registered voters in June, 2017 both major political parties continue to bleed voter share. At the same time, as has been the trend, voter share of Non-Partisan and minor political parties continue to climb.

The list maintenance appears to have a general negative impact in Washoe County. In spite of this, the loss in voter share of both Non-Partisan and the minor parties is less than either the Democratic or Republican Party. Across the board, the sharpest growth in voter share is in the group “other” that includes the Green Party. In contrast, the Democratic Party lost voter share in all demographics and in all state senate districts and all but one state assembly district.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-2,306	-0.40	39.30	-0.05
R	-1,280	-0.26	33.13	0.00
NP	-475	-0.15	21.00	0.02
Other	225	0.23	6.57	0.03
Total not D or R			27.57	0.05

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

Change is # voters: IAP -0.41%; Lib +0.09%; other 5 parties +2.75%

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,802	0.41	42.96	-0.09
R	1,670	0.56	28.85	-0.01
NP	1,742	0.77	21.92	0.03
Other	1,107	1.73	6.27	0.07
Total not D or R			28.19	0.10

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.79%; Lib +1.39%; other 5 parties +5.14%

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-4,085	-4.43	35.45	-0.12
R	-3,138	-3.25	37.60	0.33
NP	-2,412	-4.67	19.80	-0.12
Other	-986	-5.26	7.14	-0.09
Total not D or R			27.15	0.00

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

Change is # voters: IAP -5.79%; Lib -3.83%; other 5 parties -4.76%

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-23	-0.05	24.07	-0.07
R	188	0.20	50.98	-0.03
NP	195	0.60	17.46	0.06
Other	104	0.75	7.49	0.04
Total not D or R			24.95	0.10

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.80%; Lib +0.62%; other 5 parties +0.46%

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-1,260	-0.80	39.45	-0.04
R	-772	-0.86	22.51	-0.04
NP	-722	-0.61	29.81	0.03
Other	-7	-0.02	8.23	0.06
Total not D or R			38.04	0.09

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

Change is # voters: IAP -0.88%; Lib -0.37%; other 5 parties +2.26%

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-277	-0.11	39.77	-0.06
R	158	0.06	40.53	0.01
NP	237	0.27	14.45	0.03
Other	174	0.55	5.25	0.03
Total not D or R			19.70	0.06

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

Change is # voters: IAP +0.14%; Lib 0.72%; other 5 parties +3.18%

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	1	3	0
Other	1	3	0

Both CD 1, CD 2, and CD 4 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	11	10	0
Non-Partisan	6	14	1
Other	5	16	0

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. Note the Democratic Party lost voter share in all districts. This raises questions about the party’s leadership claim of success during the just ended legislative session.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	41	1	0
Republican	20	19	3
Non-Partisan	11	27	4
Other	7	34	1

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. However, the fact that the Democratic Party lost voter share in all but one district cannot be overlooked.

Partisanship continues to divide our society. Nevada is not immune. Given Governor Sandoval’s 41 vetoes, future analysis of committee minutes and votes along with floor votes could very well show the role partisanship impacts Nevadans’ every-day lives.