Blog – Page 6

December 1, 2021January 5, 2022

November Voter Registration Continues Trend As GOP Drops Below Thirty Percent

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – December 1, 2021

Voters continued to shun both the Democratic and Republican Party with both major parties once again losing voter share in November (the GOP fell below thirty percent), with the combined voter share of those registered as Non-Partisan and “other” remaining the largest segment of active voters. However, November’s increase was solely accountable to Non-Partisan as the “other” category experienced a small decline in voter share across all tracked demographics.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,351	0.22%	34.11%	-0.16%
R	1,618	0.29%	29.99%	-0.12%
NP	9,115	1.85%	27.33%	0.31%
IAP	629	0.77%	4.49%	0.00%
LIB	123	0.71%	0.95%	0.00%
Other	-342	-0.59%	3.13%	-0.04%
Total not D or R			35.90%	0.27%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,365	0.29%	37.02%	-0.18%
R	1,277	0.38%	26.09%	-0.10%
NP	6,996	1.95%	28.26%	0.32%
IAP	528	0.95%	4.34%	0.01%
LIB	76	0.70%	0.84%	0.00%
Other	-192	-0.43%	3.45%	-0.04%
Total not D or R			36.89%	029%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	206	0.20%	32.69%	-0.14%
R	405	0.39%	32.90%	-0.08%
NP	1,276	1.59%	25.74%	0.24%
IAP	125	0.86%	4.61%	0.01%
LIB	42	1.06%	1.27%	0.01%
Other	-86	-0.96%	2.79%	-0.04%
Total not D or R			34.41%	0.22%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-220	-0.51%	19.26%	-0.14%
R	-64	-0.06%	48.46%	-0.13%
NP	843	1.59%	24.15%	0.33%
IAP	-24	-0.21%	5.22%	-0.02%
LIB	5	0.20%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	-64	-1.59%	1.78%	-0.03%
Total not D or R			32.28%	0.28%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	200	0.12%	33.45%	-0.26%
R	228	0.24%	18.66%	-0.12%
NP	4,100	2.15%	37.69%	0.46%
IAP	168	0.73%	4.49%	-0.01%
LIB	59	0.76%	1.51%	0.00%
Other	-182	-0.83%	4.20%	-0.07%
Total not D or R			47.88%	0.38%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	639	0.24%	35.68%	-0.11%
R	1,009	0.35%	38.87%	-0.08%
NP	2,313	1.69%	18.73%	0.21%
IAP	256	0.80%	4.33%	0.01%
LIB	8	0.25%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	-85	-0.58%	1.95%	-0.02%
Total not D or R			25.45%	0.20%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	0	2	2
LIB	0	1	3
Other	4	0	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party exceeds 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	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	4	10	7
LIB	5	4	12
Other	21	0	0

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	8	18	16
LIB	13	10	19
Other	42	0	0

Opponents of the new district maps approved by the legislature highlighted the growing number of Non-Partisan voters during discussion, stressing that these voters will not be properly represented under the revised boundaries. While the maps were approved and signed by Governor Sisolak, their fate will lie in the court.

November 4, 2021December 1, 2021

Rank Choice Voting is Good for Business – OPINION

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – November 4, 2021

Rank Choice Voting (RCV) is good for business and community economic development.

Business thrives when owners can plan in advance for growth, or downturn. Lack of planning can cause disruption, loss of sales, and even the loss of the business itself. Our current political climate of hyper-partisanship does not allow business to plan as owners have no idea what regulations, taxes, or other events will be in place from one day to the next. As stated in the Harvard Business Review, the current political environment is the biggest impediment to economic growth in the nation. A follow-up report also states that if politics were a business, it would be failing.

If a business is fortunate enough to be able to grow, owners are looking to expand. This expansion often has the business looking to expand to other states where policies are business-friendly, and their employees can enjoy the best quality of life. In Nevada, both the LVGEA (Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance) and EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada) function with the purpose of attracting businesses to locate in the state.

In 2014 I posed the following question to the executive director of both organizations. Would the existence of a less toxic political environment be considered a plus? Given an overwhelming majority of Americans want their elected officials to solve the issues they face, collaborate on solutions (the word compromise is usually used but I prefer the word collaborate because there is a difference), and not refuse to even talk to one another, would a location whose political process fostered such action be preferred? Both answered “very possibly”.

Is RCV good for business? RCV:

Allows elected officials to work together without the fear of being “primaried”
Reduces attack ads due to the need for second or third choice votes
Allows voters to vote their conscience without fear that they are wasting their vote and that their vote counts
Expands opportunity for candidates from marginalized and / or under-represented populations
Because it fosters collaboration, allows businesses to plan with more certainty.
Provides employees, as voters, a sense that they are the focus of their elected officials, not a necessary inconvenience.

The economic impacts of RCV are not normally part of the conversation. Maybe they should be.

November 2, 2021November 2, 2021

Redistricting is Upon Us With Non-Major Party Voters Expanding Their Lead

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – November 2, 2021

Before the end of this month, the governor will call the Nevada legislature into special session to draw and approve new Congressional and state legislative districts. The looming question is how will lawmakers factor in the largest share of voters, those not registered in either the Democratic or Republican Party. Party affiliation of voters is not a formal requirement and the legality of considering the party affiliation when drawing district lines has questioned. The United States Supreme Court has left that decision to the states.

October voter registration continued to see the decline of the major party and a continued surge in the number of Non-Partisan and minor party voters. The only demographic where the voter share of non-major party voters is less than 30 percent is among voters 55 years of age and older.

To provide a better look at the challenge being faced by the legislature, a by-district voter share analysis is included below.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,979	0.32%	34.27%	-0.20%
R	1,514	0.28%	30.10%	-0.19%
NP	9,757	2.02%	27.01%	0.30%
IAP	694	0.86%	4.49%	0.00%
LIB	113	0.66%	0.95%	0.00%
Other	2,129	3.82%	3.17%	0.09%
Total not D or R			35.62%	0.39%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,809	0.38%	37.20%	-0.23%
R	1,131	0.34%	26.20%	-0.17%
NP	7,357	2.09%	27.94%	0.30%
IAP	525	0.95%	4.33%	0.00%
LIB	88	0.82%	0.84%	0.00%
Other	1,722	3.99%	3.49%	0.10%
Total not D or R			36.60%	0.40%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	299	0.29%	32.83%	-0.16%
R	336	0.32%	32.98%	-0.15%
NP	1,361	1.72%	25.49%	0.24%
IAP	134	0.93%	4.60%	0.01%
LIB	18	0.46%	1.26%	0.00%
Other	295	3.41%	2.83%	0.07%
Total not D or R			34.19%	0.32%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-129	-0.30%	19.40%	-0.16%
R	47	0.04%	48.59%	-0.22%
NP	1,039	2.00%	23.82%	0.35%
IAP	35	0.30%	5.24%	-0.01%
LIB	7	0.28%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	112	2.85%	1.82%	0.04%
Total not D or R			32.01%	0.38%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	417	0.24%	33.71%	-0.32%
R	83	0.09%	18.79%	-0.21%
NP	4,449	2.39%	37.23%	0.44%
IAP	187	0.82%	4.49%	-0.02%
LIB	27	0.35%	1.51%	-0.01%
Other	804	3.82%	4.27%	0.11%
Total not D or R			47.50%	0.52%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	1,040	0.40%	35.80%	-0.13%
R	1,189	0.42%	38.95%	-0.13%
NP	2,402	1.79%	18.52%	0.19%
IAP	315	1.00%	4.32%	0.01%
LIB	35	1.10%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	502	3.57%	1.98%	0.05%
Total not D or R			25.25%	0.25%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

With new district maps only weeks away, I am including the full by-district voter share breakout. Since one goal of redistricting is to keep districts “safe” also listed is the number of districts where either the Democratic or Republican Party has a majority (50%) along with the number of districts where the voter share is five percent or less and ten percent or less.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	1	0	3
LIB	0	0	4
Other	0	4	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party exceeds the number of voters registered to one of the major parties.

District	D	R	NP	IAP	LIB	Other	Total Not D or R
1	42.64%	19.08%	29.67%	4.00%	0.82%	3.79%	38.28%
2	28.13%	38.47%	24.92%	4.78%	1.24%	2.46%	33.40%
3	32.63%	30.69%	27.76%	4.64%	0.88%	3.39%	36.68%
4	36.52%	28.73%	26.37%	4.36%	0.81%	3.21%	34.75%
Majority District	0
5%	1
10%	1

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	10	5	6
LIB	6	2	13
Other	0	21	0

District	D	R	NP	IAP	LIB	Other	Total Not D or R
1	42.35%	22.05%	27.10%	4.03%	0.77%	3.70%	35.60%
2	48.46%	11.65%	31.68%	3.55%	0.67%	4.00%	39.90%
3	42.40%	19.88%	29.08%	3.95%	0.84%	3.85%	37.72%
4	50.85%	13.36%	27.89%	3.45%	0.61%	3.84%	35.79%
5	34.60%	29.44%	27.16%	4.67%	0.93%	3.21%	35.96%
6	36.79%	29.45%	25.46%	4.33%	0.83%	3.13%	33.75%
7	40.18%	21.76%	29.14%	4.21%	0.91%	3.80%	38.06%
8	33.69%	30.90%	26.73%	4.52%	0.89%	3.27%	35.41%
9	34.05%	27.02%	29.73%	4.44%	0.87%	3.90%	38.93%
10	42.35%	17.45%	31.17%	4.32%	0.96%	3.74%	40.19%
11	38.26%	22.25%	30.54%	4.13%	0.83%	3.99%	39.49%
12	27.60%	38.13%	25.91%	5.05%	0.80%	2.50%	34.27%
13	38.63%	23.44%	28.88%	4.54%	1.30%	3.22%	37.94%
14	26.03%	41.42%	24.16%	4.74%	1.20%	2.45%	32.55%
15	34.00%	32.74%	24.69%	4.54%	1.23%	2.81%	33.26%
16	28.37%	39.02%	24.24%	4.85%	1.26%	2.28%	32.62%
17	18.68%	49.67%	23.42%	5.19%	1.22%	1.84%	31.65%
18	31.34%	34.61%	25.36%	4.73%	0.95%	3.01%	34.05%
19	19.34%	47.37%	24.71%	5.26%	0.99%	2.33%	33.28%
20	32.20%	31.03%	27.71%	4.69%	0.89%	3.48%	36.77%
21	41.09%	22.66%	28.16%	3.81%	0.67%	3.61%	36.25%
Majority District	1
5%	5
10%	2

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	18	18	6
LIB	14	8	20
Other	1	41	0

District	D	R	NP	IAP	LIB	Other	Total Not D or R
1	40.47%	24.85%	26.15%	4.25%	0.78%	3.50%	34.68%
2	31.52%	33.40%	26.42%	4.67%	0.87%	3.11%	35.08%
3	43.00%	19.62%	28.94%	3.88%	0.85%	3.71%	37.38%
4	32.86%	32.19%	26.00%	4.70%	0.98%	3.26%	34.95%
5	36.19%	28.02%	27.08%	4.35%	0.90%	3.45%	35.79%
6	53.99%	9.24%	28.75%	3.34%	0.60%	4.07%	36.77%
7	48.32%	16.68%	27.21%	3.53%	0.61%	3.65%	35.00%
8	37.06%	23.26%	30.69%	4.17%	0.83%	3.99%	39.68%
9	34.68%	26.50%	29.62%	4.39%	0.86%	3.95%	38.82%
10	41.76%	20.16%	29.22%	4.02%	0.84%	4.00%	38.08%
11	48.74%	11.11%	31.94%	3.67%	0.71%	3.83%	40.15%
12	38.05%	26.84%	27.05%	3.92%	0.68%	3.46%	35.11%
13	29.62%	37.35%	24.62%	4.76%	0.92%	2.73%	33.03%
14	46.03%	15.86%	29.96%	3.63%	0.67%	3.85%	38.11%
15	44.29%	17.84%	29.39%	4.23%	0.84%	3.40%	37.87%
16	40.31%	17.05%	33.04%	4.42%	1.08%	4.10%	42.64%
17	44.27%	19.20%	28.06%	3.81%	0.76%	3.90%	36.53%
18	40.83%	20.38%	29.98%	4.12%	0.85%	3.84%	38.79%
19	28.45%	36.04%	27.28%	4.80%	0.75%	2.67%	35.51%
20	39.49%	23.23%	28.24%	4.31%	0.97%	3.77%	37.28%
21	35.20%	28.88%	27.06%	4.75%	0.90%	3.22%	35.92%
22	30.26%	35.11%	26.00%	4.82%	0.84%	2.97%	34.63%
23	26.94%	39.74%	24.86%	5.24%	0.84%	2.38%	33.32%
24	41.15%	19.80%	30.10%	4.38%	1.36%	3.21%	39.04%
25	31.88%	37.16%	22.75%	4.49%	1.16%	2.57%	30.96%
26	29.26%	37.96%	24.37%	4.66%	1.27%	2.49%	32.78%
27	36.64%	27.25%	27.09%	4.59%	1.32%	3.11%	36.11%
28	48.20%	12.14%	31.44%	3.45%	0.63%	4.15%	39.67%
29	34.10%	29.91%	27.24%	4.60%	0.95%	3.20%	36.00%
30	36.26%	26.84%	27.74%	4.68%	1.24%	3.23%	36.90%
31	31.08%	34.92%	25.02%	4.80%	1.29%	2.89%	34.01%
32	20.20%	48.93%	23.17%	4.68%	1.09%	1.94%	30.87%
33	14.07%	54.51%	23.87%	5.03%	0.99%	1.52%	31.41%
34	38.89%	25.29%	27.12%	4.25%	0.93%	3.51%	35.82%
35	33.46%	27.51%	29.82%	4.48%	0.88%	3.85%	39.03%
36	22.76%	42.75%	25.25%	5.40%	0.99%	2.85%	34.49%
37	34.93%	33.15%	23.98%	4.40%	0.74%	2.79%	31.92%
38	16.41%	48.80%	26.01%	5.59%	1.27%	1.92%	34.80%
39	20.54%	50.39%	21.29%	4.85%	1.17%	1.76%	29.08%
40	27.26%	40.33%	24.07%	5.08%	1.24%	2.01%	32.41%
41	34.11%	27.01%	29.40%	4.56%	0.95%	3.97%	38.88%
42	39.86%	20.91%	30.33%	4.09%	0.82%	3.99%	39.23%
Majority District	3
5%	6
10%	4

Adding to the challenge faced by legislators is that by the time of the general election in November of next year, the gap between those not affiliated with either of the major parties will most likely be significantly larger, placing the outcome of potentially many races in the hands of those voters. We should know the answers very soon.

October 3, 2021October 3, 2021

Combined Non-Partisan and Minor Party Registration Extends Lead Over Major Parties – Dilemma for Redistricting

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – October 3, 2021

How will Nevada’s legislators address the expanding plurality of voters not registered as either Democratic or Republican when they meet to redraw Congressional and legislative district maps later this month or next? (See the bottom of this article for more details)

Despite being a voter roll maintenance month, September 2021 saw the combined number of voters registered to vote in Nevada as either Non-Partisan, in a minor party, or “other” extend their lead over both the Democratic and Republican Party. The only voter segment where this is not happening is among voters 55 years of age or older. Even in this group, however, both the Democratic and Republican Party are losing voter share, just not to the extent as other demographics.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-27,729	-4.26%	34.47%	-0.31%
R	-21,276	-3.74%	30.29%	-0.11%
NP	-11,816	-2.39%	26.72%	0.28%
IAP	-3,177	-3.77%	4.49%	-0.02%
LIB	-978	-5.39%	0.95%	-0.02%
Other	1,340	2.46%	3.08%	0.18%
Total not D or R			35.24%	0.42%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-23,669	-4.74%	37.43%	-0.25%
R	-17,530	-4.97%	26.37%	-0.24%
NP	-10,709	-2.96%	27.64%	0.32%
IAP	-2,649	-4.59%	4.33%	-0.02%
LIB	-755	-6.59%	0.84%	-0.02%
Other	1,062	2.52%	3.39%	0.22%
Total not D or R			36.20%	0.50%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-4,017	-3.74%	32.99%	-0.13%
R	-3,979	-3.69%	33.13%	-0.11%
NP	-2,307	-2.84%	25.26%	0.14%
IAP	-562	-3.76%	4.59%	-0.02%
LIB	-230	-5.49%	1.26%	-0.03%
Other	163	1.92%	2.76%	0.14%
Total not D or R			33.88%	0.23%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-43	-0.10%	19.56%	-0.16%
R	233	0.22%	48.82%	-0.24%
NP	1,200	2.37%	23.47%	0.38%
IAP	34	0.29%	5.26%	-0.02%
LIB	7	0.28%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	115	3.02%	1.77%	0.04%
Total not D or R			31.63%	0.40%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-11,257	-6.14%	34.03%	-0.53%
R	-6,314	-6.17%	18.99%	-0.30%
NP	-5,786	-3.02%	36.79%	0.63%
IAP	-1,313	-5.44%	4.51%	-0.04%
LIB	-558	-6.77%	1.52%	-0.03%
Other	384	1.86%	4.16%	0.27%
Total not D or R			46.98%	0.83%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-7,215	-2.67%	35.92%	-0.16%
R	-7,617	-2.59%	39.08%	-0.15%
NP	-1,398	-1.03%	18.33%	0.22%
IAP	-748	-2.32%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	-88	-2.69%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	414	3.03%	1.92%	0.10%
Total not D or R			25.00%	0.32%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	4	0	0
LIB	4	0	0
Other	0	4	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party exceeds 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	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	16	2	3
LIB	20	0	1
Other	0	21	0

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	28	7	7
LIB	37	1	4
Other	1	41	0

With less than 35 percent of active registered voters being represented by the majority party in the legislature; less than 65 percent being represented by either party, how will the legislature use this data when developing district boundaries that will be in place for the next ten years? Political affiliation is not supposed to be part of the planning, but I think it would be naive to believe it does not enter into the equation.

Nevada’s population grew by 15 percent since the last census in 2010. At the same time, the number of active registered voters increased by 36 percent. *

Active Democratic registration decreased by 18 percent
Active Republican registration decreased by 17 percent
Active Non-Partisan registration increased by 69 percent
Active minor party and “other” registration increased by 50 percent
Active combined Non-Partisan, minor party, and “other” registration increased by 64 percent

*End December 2010 compared to end September 2021

When creating district boundaries, the goal is to have approximately the same number of people in each district, the “ideal population”. The tables below show the difference between the ideal population and the 2020 census. The most accepted method of reaching the ideal is to readjust the current boundaries to either add or subtract population. Another method would be to increase the number of districts, decreasing the ideal population. The Nevada Constitution allows the legislature to do this. The legislature could increase the total number of legislative districts to 75.

Congressional – Ideal population 776,154

District	2020 Census	Diff from ideal	% diff	% Dem	%Rep	%NP	% Not D or R
1	702,822	-73,332	-9.45%	42.93%	19.22%	29.32%	37.85%
2	758,820	-17,334	-2.23%	28.28%	38.64%	24.66%	33.08%
3	855,528	79,374	10.23%	32.80%	30.89%	27.50%	36.31%
4	787,444	11,290	1.45%	36.76%	28.92%	26.04%	34.32%

State Senate – Ideal population 147,839

District	2020 Census	Diff from ideal	% diff	% Dem	%Rep	%NP	% Not D or R
1	165,542	17,703	11.97%	42.68%	22.19%	26.76%	35.13%
2	128,419	-19,420	-13.14%	48.87%	11.71%	31.29%	39.42%
3	132,412	-15,427	-10.44%	42.68%	20.01%	28.73%	37.31%
4	141,147	-6,692	-4.53%	51.20%	13.42%	27.56%	35.38%
5	134,488	-13,351	-9.03%	34.80%	29.64%	26.87%	35.56%
6	134,456	-13,383	-9.05%	36.96%	29.61%	25.23%	33.44%
7	143,026	-4,813	-3.26%	40.48%	21.92%	28.81%	37.60%
8	135,709	-12,130	-8.20%	33.91%	31.09%	26.45%	35.00%
9	204,521	56,682	38.34%	34.22%	27.18%	29.50%	38.60%
10	137,808	-10,031	-6.79%	42.67%	17.59%	30.79%	39.73%
11	145,009	-2,830	-1.91%	38.49%	22.43%	30.24%	39.08%
12	159,061	11,222	7.59%	27.76%	38.34%	25.61%	33.89%
13	143,585	-4,254	-2.88%	38.85%	23.56%	28.59%	37.59%
14	144,479	-3,360	-2.27%	26.16%	41.58%	23.93%	32.26%
15	144,172	-3,667	-2.48%	34.17%	32.89%	24.47%	32.94%
16	150,730	2,891	1.96%	28.51%	39.18%	23.98%	32.31%
17	138,343	-9,496	-6.42%	18.85%	49.86%	23.10%	31.29%
18	154,030	6,191	4.19%	31.50%	34.80%	25.11%	33.70%
19	158,787	10,948	7.41%	19.47%	47.67%	24.32%	32.86%
20	161,487	13,648	9.23%	32.36%	31.27%	27.40%	36.37%
21	147,403	-436	-0.29%	41.33%	22.79%	27.86%	35.88%

State Assembly – Ideal population 73,919

District	2020 Census	Diff from ideal	% diff	% Dem	%Rep	%NP	% Not D or R
1	78,671	4,752	6.43%	40.88%	25.29%	25.60%	33.83%
2	69,552	-4,367	-5.91%	31.90%	33.81%	25.91%	34.29%
3	67,382	-6,537	-8.84%	43.68%	19.89%	28.22%	36.43%
4	82,747	8,828	11.94%	33.22%	32.70%	25.43%	34.09%
5	66,157	-7,762	-10.50%	36.66%	28.42%	26.58%	34.92%
6	69,404	-4,515	-6.11%	54.93%	9.39%	27.91%	35.68%
7	71,743	-2,176	-2.94%	48.98%	16.85%	26.52%	34.18%
8	80,629	6,710	9.08%	37.64%	23.61%	30.07%	38.76%
9	99,766	25,847	34.97%	35.23%	26.88%	29.04%	37.89%
10	65,030	-8,889	-12.03%	42.39%	20.43%	28.51%	37.18%
11	60,829	-13,090	-17.71%	49.69%	11.32%	30.95%	38.99%
12	81,845	7,926	10.72%	38.45%	27.31%	26.43%	34.24%
13	71,283	-2,636	-3.57%	29.80%	37.82%	24.19%	32.38%
14	65,558	-8,361	-11.31%	46.68%	16.17%	29.26%	37.15%
15	69,581	-4,338	-5.87%	44.89%	18.21%	28.67%	36.90%
16	68,227	-5,692	-7.70%	41.06%	17.47%	32.11%	41.47%
17	86,871	12,952	17.52%	45.08%	19.53%	27.23%	35.39%
18	75,561	1,642	2.22%	41.45%	20.77%	29.18%	37.77%
19	77,399	3,480	4.71%	28.90%	36.63%	26.41%	34.47%
20	67,465	-6,454	-8.73%	40.09%	23.48%	27.75%	36.43%
21	60,849	-13,070	-17.68%	35.58%	29.25%	26.58%	35.17%
22	76,512	2,593	3.51%	30.52%	35.58%	25.42%	33.90%
23	81,662	7,743	10.47%	27.10%	40.27%	24.39%	32.63%
24	69,813	-4,106	-5.55%	41.80%	19.94%	29.46%	38.26%
25	74,233	314	0.42%	32.05%	37.42%	22.49%	30.53%
26	79,930	6,011	8.13%	29.53%	38.20%	23.97%	32.27%
27	69,939	-3,980	-5.38%	36.94%	27.51%	26.75%	35.54%
28	67,590	-6,329	-8.56%	49.10%	12.33%	30.63%	38.57%
29	73,639	-280	-0.38%	34.57%	30.31%	26.68%	35.12%
30	73,772	-147	-0.20%	36.50%	27.23%	27.36%	36.27%
31	76,222	2,303	3.12%	31.28%	35.27%	24.65%	33.45%
32	68,257	-5,662	-7.66%	20.47%	49.27%	22.64%	30.26%
33	67,861	-6,058	-8.20%	14.27%	54.90%	23.20%	30.84%
34	67,878	-6,041	-8.17%	39.34%	25.72%	26.56%	34.93%
35	104,755	30,836	41.72%	33.81%	27.94%	29.43%	38.25%
36	90,926	17,007	23.01%	23.20%	43.33%	24.45%	33.47%
37	66,578	-7,341	-9.93%	35.20%	33.43%	23.63%	31.37%
38	69,274	-4,645	-6.28%	16.73%	49.33%	25.23%	33.94%
39	69,069	-4,850	-6.56%	20.84%	50.69%	20.76%	28.47%
40	70,800	-3,119	-4.22%	27.53%	40.75%	23.39%	31.72%
41	84,975	11,056	14.96%	34.65%	27.58%	28.68%	37.77%
42	64,380	-9,539	-12.90%	40.54%	21.35%	29.57%	38.10%

There is no doubt the attitude of voters as expressed by their party affiliation, or lack of, continues to change. The question is will the state legislature adjust for that. Will they develop fair maps without regard to political affiliation or will they take the position that those who have left the Democratic or Republican Party have given up their right to be represented for the next ten years?

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021

Combined Non-Partisan and Minor Party Voter Share Now On Top

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – September 2, 2021

As of the end of August 2021, and for most likely the first time since partisan voting data has been maintained, the combined number of voters registered to vote in Nevada as either Non-Partisan or “other” hold the top voter share spot, overtaking both the Democratic and Republican Party.

In addition to the state-wide numbers:

In Clark County, the combined total is 9% ahead of the GOP and less than 2% from overtaking the Democratic count.
In Washoe County, the combined total now is the top group exceeding both the Democratic and Republican count.
In all 15 rural counties, the combined total dwarfs Democratic registration with NP exceeding in 13. The Republican party holds less than a majority in Carson City, and in Lyon, Mineral (combined total is less than 5% behind the GOP), Nye, and Storey counties.
Among voters 18-34 years of age, Non-Partisan registration holds the top spot with the combined total nearly 12% higher than Democratic registration.
Voters 55 years of age and older are the one strong spot for the major parties with both the Democratic and Republican Party holding slightly under 40% voter share.
Combined Non-Partisan and “other” voter share exceeds both the Democratic and Republican Party in:
1 Congressional district
4 state senate districts
8 state assembly districts

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	459	0.07%	34.78%	-0.25%
R	483	0.09%	30.40%	-0.22%
NP	10,313	2.13%	26.44%	0.35%
IAP	444	0.53%	4.51%	-0.01%
LIB	137	0.76%	0.97%	0.00%
Other	2,903	5.64%	2.91%	0.13%
Total not D or R			34.83%	0.47%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	602	0.12%	37.68%	-0.28%
R	264	0.07%	26.61%	-0.21%
NP	7,773	2.19%	27.32%	0.36%
IAP	337	0.59%	4.35%	-0.01%
LIB	77	0.68%	0.86%	0.00%
Other	2,309	5.81%	3.17%	0.15%
Total not D or R			35.71%	0.50%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-195	-0.18%	33.12%	-0.20%
R	-89	-0.08%	33.24%	-0.17%
NP	1,138	1.42%	25.12%	0.25%
IAP	53	0.36%	4.61%	0.00%
LIB	30	0.72%	1.29%	0.00%
Other	418	5.18%	2.62%	0.12%
Total not D or R			33.64%	0.37%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	52	0.12%	19.71%	-0.16%
R	308	0.29%	49.05%	-0.31%
NP	1,402	2.84%	23.09%	0.43%
IAP	54	0.47%	5.28%	-0.02%
LIB	30	1.22%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	176	4.85%	1.73%	0.06%
Total not D or R			31.24%	0.47%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-237	-0.13%	34.56%	-0.40%
R	-344	-0.33%	19.29%	-0.27%
NP	4,682	2.50%	36.15%	0.52%
IAP	108	0.45%	4.55%	-0.03%
LIB	48	0.59%	1.55%	-0.01%
Other	1,178	6.04%	3.90%	0.18%
Total not D or R			46.15%	0.66%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	559	0.21%	36.09%	-0.15%
R	600	0.20%	39.23%	-0.16%
NP	2,529	1.90%	18.11%	0.23%
IAP	225	0.70%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	24	0.74%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	675	5.20%	1.83%	0.08%
Total not D or R			24.68%	0.31%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	4	0	0
LIB	0	0	4
Other	0	4	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party exceeds 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	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	15	0	6
LIB	2	3	16
Other	0	21	0

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	29	4	9
LIB	10	10	22
Other	0	42	0

The numbers speak for themselves. How will the Democratic and Republican Party react? How will the voters react come for the 2022 primary and general elections? Could there be interest in exploring alternative voting methods so the largest voting bloc in the state is not disenfranchised?

August 3, 2021August 3, 2021

Non-Partisans Overtake GOP in Clark County Voter Share

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – August 3, 2021

At the end of July 2021, voters registered as Non-Partisan are now the second largest voting group in Clark County with the combined share of those not registered to either the Democratic or Republican Party less than three (3) percentage points from overtaking the Democratic Party.

With more proof of parity, in Washoe County, the percent of voters not registered in either major party is less than two-tenths of one percent (0.20%) of becoming the largest voting bloc.

In the not-too-distant past, the Republican Party could count on voters in the 15 rural counties to reside strongly in the GOP camp. However, while just under a majority; 49.37 percent are registered to vote as members of the Republican Party at the end of July 2021, like the rest of the state, over 30 percent are registered as either Non-Partisan or in a minor party.

As little as one year ago, monthly changes in voter share, both up and down, were below one-tenth of one percent. Anything over that was considered notable. Over the past five months changes below one-tenth of one percent are notable but for a different reason with shifts over one-quarter of one percent becoming common.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	691	0.11%	35.03%	-0.28%
R	880	0.16%	30.61%	-0.23%
NP	11,056	2.34%	26.09%	0.36%
IAP	505	0.61%	4.52%	-0.01%
LIB	132	0.74%	0.97%	0.00%
Other	3,587	7.49%	2.77%	0.17%
Total not D or R			34.35%	0.52%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is #2 in the state, almost four (4) percent greater share than the GOP and less than one percent (0.68%) shy of the Democratic Party.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	720	0.14%	37.96%	-0.31%
R	450	0.13%	26.82%	-0.23%
NP	8,229	2.38%	26.96%	0.37%
IAP	360	0.63%	4.37%	-0.01%
LIB	67	0.59%	0.87%	0.00%
Other	2,777	7.51%	3.02%	0.18%
Total not D or R			35.22%	0.54%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The voter share percent of Non-Partisan is now in second place, overtaking the GOP. The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Republican Party voter share by nearly nine (9) percent and less than three (2.74%) percent from voter share of Democratic Party.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-41	-0.04%	33.32%	-0.23%
R	71	0.07%	33.41%	-0.19%
NP	1,385	1.76%	24.87%	0.27%
IAP	80	0.54%	4.62%	0.00%
LIB	30	0.73%	1.29%	0.00%
Other	530	7.04%	2.50%	0.15%
Total not D or R			33.27%	0.42%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

While the two major parties are still #1 and #2, the combined total of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is less than two-tenths of one (0.20) percent away from over-taking either or both major parties.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	12	0.03%	19.87%	-0.20%
R	359	0.34%	49.37%	-0.34%
NP	1,442	3.01%	22.66%	0.44%
IAP	65	0.57%	5.30%	-0.02%
LIB	35	1.44%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	280	8.35%	1.67%	0.11%
Total not D or R			30.76%	0.53%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Non-Partisan voter share is in the #2 spot exceeding Democratic Party voter share by over two (2) percent. The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Democratic Party voter share by over 10 percent. Both major parties lost voter share in 14 of the 15 rural counties while Non-Partisan gained share in all 15 rural counties.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-169	-0.09%	34.96%	-0.45%
R	-171	-0.17%	19.56%	-0.27%
NP	5,073	2.79%	35.64%	0.55%
IAP	92	0.38%	4.57%	-0.04%
LIB	42	0.51%	1.56%	-0.01%
Other	1,391	7.68%	3.71%	0.22%
Total not D or R			45.49%	0.72%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party continues to approach 50 percent of active voters in this age group, nearly 10 percent over the Democratic Party and 25 percent over the Republican Party. Non-Partisan voter share on its own exceeds GOP voter share by 15 percent and only one-third (0.33) percent away from taking the lead from the Democratic Party.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	631	0.23%	36.24%	-0.18%
R	1,042	0.36%	39.39%	-0.15%
NP	2,669	2.05%	17.88%	0.23%
IAP	241	0.76%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	23	0.71%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	836	6.88%	1.75%	0.10%
Total not D or R			24.37%	0.33%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

This is the one demographic where the Democratic and Republican Party are in no jeopardy of losing their dominance. That said, this age group has followed the trend with the major parties losing voter share with corresponding gain by Non-Partisan and minor parties.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	4	0	0
LIB	1	0	3
Other	0	4	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party exceeds the number of voters registered to one of the major parties. Non-Partisan exceeds the Republican Party in one (1) district; the combined total exceeds both major parties in one (1) district, the Republican Party in one (1) district and the Democratic Party in one (1) district.

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	17	0	4
LIB	7	3	11
Other	0	21	0

In all 21 districts (100%) 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 exceeds the Republican Party in 10 districts and the Democratic Party in two (2) districts. The combined total exceeds the Republican Party in three (3) districts and the Democratic Party in four (4) districts.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	29	6	7
LIB	16	8	18
Other	0	42	0

In all 42 districts (100%) 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 exceeds the Republican Party in 19 districts and the Democratic Party in three (3) districts. The combined total exceeds the Republican Party in eight (8) districts and the Democratic Party in 11 districts.

The total number of active registered voters in Nevada is closing in on 1.9 million. As these monthly reports show, a growing number of these voters are choosing not to affiliate with either major political party. Just how this will impact the 2022 election season remains an unanswered question.

July 2, 2021July 2, 2021

Voters Continue to Abandon Major Political Parties

By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform – July 2, 2021

If voter registration numbers are our mirror into voter attitude, voters in Nevada appear to be reaching the point of total frustration with both the Democratic and Republican Party. The numbers for June 2021 are a continuation of the multi-year trend with the combined percentage of voters choosing to register as Non-Partisan or not affiliate with a major party are, for all intent and purpose, at parity.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	439	0.07%	35.32%	-0.24%
R	393	0.07%	30.84%	-0.21%
NP	9,061	1.95%	25.73%	0.30%
IAP	459	0.55%	4.53%	-0.01%
LIB	101	0.57%	0.97%	0.00%
Other	3,146	7.03%	2.60%	0.15%
Total not D or R			33.84%	0.44%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is #2 in the state, three (3) percent greater share than the GOP and only one and one-half (1.5) percent shy of the Democratic Party.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	590	0.12%	38.27%	-0.28%
R	418	0.12%	27.05%	-0.20%
NP	7,008	2.07%	26.59%	0.32%
IAP	383	0.68%	4.38%	-0.01%
LIB	73	0.65%	0.87%	0.00%
Other	2,544	7.39%	2.84%	0.17%
Total not D or R			34.68%	0.48%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Republican Party voter share by over seven (7) percent and just over three and one-half (3.5) percent from voter share of Democratic Party. Non-Partisan voter share is less than one-half (0.5) percent from overtaking the GOP.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-84	-0.08%	33.54%	-0.17%
R	12	0.01%	33.60%	-0.14%
NP	988	1.27%	24.60%	0.20%
IAP	62	0.42%	4.62%	0.00%
LIB	16	0.39%	1.29%	0.00%
Other	381	5.33%	2.35%	0.11%
Total not D or R			32.86%	0.31%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

While the two major parties are still #1 and #2, the combined total of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is less than one (1) percent away from over-taking either or both major parties.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-67	-0.15%	20.07%	-0.14%
R	-37	-0.03%	49.70%	-0.30%
NP	1,065	2.28%	22.22%	0.37%
IAP	14	0.12%	5.32%	-0.02%
LIB	12	0.50%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	221	7.06%	1.56%	0.09%
Total not D or R			30.23%	0.44%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Non-Partisan voter share is in the #2 spot exceeding Democratic Party voter share by over two (2) percent. The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Democratic Party voter share by over 10 percent. Of note, both major parties lost voter share in all 15 rural counties while Non-Partisan gained share in all 15 rural counties.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-220	-0.12%	35.41%	-0.39%
R	-274	-0.27%	19.83%	-0.25%
NP	4,149	2.33%	35.09%	0.46%
IAP	159	0.67%	4.61%	-0.01%
LIB	43	0.53%	1.57%	-0.01%
Other	1,189	7.03%	3.49%	0.20%
Total not D or R			44.76%	0.64%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is rapidly approaching 50 percent of active voters in this age group, over nine (9) percent over the Democratic Party and 25 percent over the Republican Party. Non-Partisan voter share on its own exceeds GOP voter share by 15 percent and only one-third (0.33) percent away from taking the lead from the Democratic Party.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	525	0.20%	36.42%	-0.15%
R	663	0.23%	39.54%	-0.15%
NP	2,205	1.72%	17.65%	0.20%
IAP	196	0.62%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	21	0.65%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	768	6.75%	1.65%	0.09%
Total not D or R			24.04%	0.29%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	4	0	0
LIB	0	0	4
Other	0	4	0

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	13	2	6
LIB	5	1	15
Other	0	21	0

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	22	7	13
LIB	16	8	18
Other	0	42	0

In all 42 districts (100%) 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 exceeds the Republican Party in 17 districts and the Democratic Party in three (3) districts. The combined total exceeds the Republican Party in nine (9) districts and the Democratic Party in 10 districts.

There is a belief among lawmakers that the right to vote is one of the most valuable rights we have as citizens. While some of the policies being put forward on how to protect this right vary, sometimes widely, these policies must ensure voters, regardless of party affiliation, are able to participate in all publicly funded elections. Voter registration trends should send a clear signal that this should be a priority.

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021

Fate of Election Bills..A Partisan Affair

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

The 81^st regular session of the Nevada legislature concluded at midnight, May 31, 2021. During the session, 40 election-related bills were introduced. Below, we will explore what they dealt with, who introduced them, and how they ended up.

Of the 40 bills introduced, 27 were introduced by Republican legislators and 13 by Democratic. Of the 27 Republican bills, 23 were denied a hearing, one (1) was heard in the originating chamber but did not get a vote in committee, two (2) passed out of the originating chamber but did not get a committee hearing in the second house, and one (1), or 3.7 percent of those introduced, was passed by both chambers and signed by the governor.

The fate of the 13 Democratic-sponsored bills was totally different. Of those 13, 12, or 92.3 percent were passed by both the assembly and senate and sent to the governor. The one (1) bill not passed did not get a committee hearing in the originating chamber.

Bill	Sponsor	Summary

AB121	Assemblywoman Cohen	Expanded the use of the electronic voting process used by military and other Nevada voters living overseas to those with disabilities. Also added items from SB263 to align the deadline for receipt of registration or ballots with same-day voter registration and remove the requirement for a voter to submit a new voter registration when changing party affiliation. Passed assembly 32-10 and senate 21-0

AB126	Assemblyman Frierson, TBT, Miller	Restored presidential closed primary also making NV first presidential nominating contestthe first Tuesday in February. Bill passed assembly 30-11 and senate 15-6.

AB129	Assemblyman Roberts	This bill originally proposed to change the PAC reporting threshold from $1000 to $100, the same as for candidates. This portion of the bill was amended out leaving only small changes to PAC reporting before assembly vote (passed 42-0). Bill was not heard in the senate

AB134	Assemblyman Matthews	This bill to repeal AB4, as expected, did not receive a hearing.

AB137	Assemblyman Ellison	This bill to require voter ID did not get a hearing.

AB163	Assemblywoman Dickman	This bill to require voter ID and to repeal AB4 did not get a hearing.

AB166	Assemblyman Hafen	This is the one Republican-sponsored election bill to be signed by the governor. It passed both chambers unanimously. It requires political text messages to include the identity of the sender in the body of the message.

AB218	Assemblywoman Titus	Currently, incumbent sheriffs or constables are forbidden to campaign for election while in uniform. In the smaller rural counties, the sheriff or constable are more than administrative required to be in the field. This can make campaigning difficult. This bill would allow them to campaign while in uniform. Bill was heard but did not receive a committee vote.

AB248	Assemblywoman Tolles	This bill, supported by county election officials would have specified the rules for partisan election observers. Bill was not heard in first committee

AB255	Speaker of the Assembly	Bill called for restructuring of Clark and Washoe county school boards creating a hybrid (elected and appointed) board. This was the one Democratic bill that did not get a first committee vote.

AB263	Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen	Bill would require audit of personnel and equipment doing signature verification of mail ballots. While this bill did not get a hearing, provision was added into AB321.

AB264	Assemblywoman Kasama	Would require county clerks to sign affidavit to SoS on list maintenance prior to elections. Bill did not get a hearing.

AB297	Assembly Minority Leader	Would make the office of Registrar of Voters an elected rather than an appointed position. Bill did not get a hearing.

AB321	Assemblyman Frierson	This bill made the provisions of AB4 permanent also making improvements in signature verification audits and voter role maintenance. Bill passed in assembly 26-16 and 12-9 in senate.

AB328	Assemblywoman Hardy	This bill allowed for funeral directors to report deaths directly to the secretary of state. While this bill did not get a hearing, a requirement for closer coordination between the secretary of state and bureau of vital statistics was included in AB321.

AB390	Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections	Current law does not require notification be provided directly to the candidate whose election is being challenged. This law requires direct notification. Bill passed both chambers unanimously.

AB422	Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections	This bill codifies the switch from a bottom-up voter registration system; county clerks and registrars provide data to the secretary a state, to a top-down system; secretary of state feeds data to counties. Secretary of state has been developing the new system since last session. Bill passed unanimously.

AB432	Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections	Expands automatic voter registration to DHHS and other agencies designated by the governor. Bill passed assembly 26-16 and senate 12-9.

AB441	Speaker of the Assembly	Allows legislative leaders to redistribute unused bill draft requests of legislators who resign prior to start of session to their replacement. Also exempts those appointed from fundraising blackout under certain circumstances. Passed assembly 31-11 and senate 19-2.

AB443	Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections	Restructures interim committee structure to match permanent legislative committees. Passed assembly 42-0 and senate 18-3.

AJR11	Assemblywoman Black	Proposed constitutional amendment adding “None of the above” as choice for all offices and called for new election if “none” was the winner. Bill did not get a first hearing.

AJR13	Assemblyman Wheeler	Proposed constitutional amendment specifying the legislature, not supreme court, canvass election results. Bill did not get a hearing.

AJR14	Assemblywoman Titus	Constitutional amendment adding a “Retain” option on the ballot when a judge is unopposed for re-election. Bill did not receive a hearing.

SB101	Senator Settelmeyer	Reintroduction of bill introduced last session to allow voters to voluntarily designate they want to show a photo ID to vote. Bill did not receive a hearing.

SB111	Senator Kieckhefer	Similar to AB255 creating a hybrid; elected and appointed school board in Clark and Washoe county. Bill did not get a first hearing.

SB121	Senator Kieckhefer	Proposed changing NV closed partisan primaries to non-partisan top-two open primary. Bill was not heard in committee.

SB130	Senator Pickard	Similar to AB126 calling for a presidential preference primary in June. Bill was not heard in committee.

SB194	Senator Lange	Bill establishes a special seal be attached to high school diploma of students who meet certain civics course requirements. Bill passed senate 21-0 and assembly 37-5.

SB225	Senator Pickard	Repeal of AB4. Bill was not heard.

SB256	Senator Kieckhefer	Bill would have allowed signatures on ballot initiatives to be collected electronically using a secure method. Bill did not receive a first hearing.

SB263	Senate Minority Leader	Removes requirement for voter to complete a new voter registration form when just changing party affiliation and expanded deadline for overseas mail ballot receipt to match same-day voter registration deadlines. Bill passed senate 21-0 then provisions amended into AB121.

SB270	Senator Seevers Gansert	Currently, legislators, the governor and governor-elect, the lieutenant governor and lieutenant governor-elect are not allowed to raise funds during set periods prior to and following a legislative session. This bill would have added the attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and controller to that prohibition. Bill did not get a hearing.

SB292	Senator Lange	In its original form, bill provided for straight-ticket voting, changing the ballot qualification criteria for minor party candidates, changing vacancy procedures, and deleting statue language calling for state oversight of party delegate selection. In the final version, straight-ticket voting and the changes to minor party qualification were removed. Final bill passed senate 12-9 and assembly 26-16.

SB301	Senate Minority Leader	This bill established all mail voting, manual ballot signature verification, and election of registrar of voters. Bill was not heard.

SB462	Senator Settelmeyer	This bill, introduced May 29th, would have established a redistricting advisory committee to provide recommendations for new district maps to LCB and the legislature. Bill was not heard.

SB79	Senator Hardy	Bill would have incorporated the city of Laughlin as a charter city. Bill did not receive a hearing.

SB82	Senator Ratti	This bill updated the city charter of Sparks to comply with current state law. Bill passed unanimously in both chambers.

SB84	Committee to Conduct an Interim Study of the Requirements for Reapportionment and Redistricting in the State of Nevada (S.C.R. 9, 2019)	Increases the numbers of voters allowed in each election precinct. Bill passed unanimously.

SB85	Senator Hardy	This bill proposed to change election statute to allow write in candidates. Bill did not receive a hearing.

SJR9	Senator Kieckhefer	This was a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a redistricting commission to draw legislative and congressional district boundaries. Bill was not heard.

June 2, 2021June 2, 2021

Major Political Parties Continue Downward Slide

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

It’s time to ask the question; how long will the major political parties remain the dominant political parties in Nevada? If the continuing voter registration trends continue (they show no indication of slowing), it will not be much longer. May 2021 figures are no surprise. I’ve annotated just where we are below each table.

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-96	-0.01%	35.55%	-0.23%
R	-475	-0.08%	31.05%	-0.22%
NP	8,135	1.79%	25.43%	0.29%
IAP	344	0.42%	4.54%	-0.01%
LIB	94	0.53%	0.97%	0.00%
Other	3,216	7.75%	2.45%	0.16%
Total not D or R			33.40%	0.44%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is #2 in the state, over two (2) percent greater share than the GOP and just two (2) percent shy of the Democratic Party.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	260	0.05%	38.55%	-0.27%
R	109	0.03%	27.24%	-0.20%
NP	6,403	1.92%	26.27%	0.30%
IAP	343	0.61%	4.39%	-0.01%
LIB	75	0.67%	0.87%	0.00%
Other	2,539	7.96%	2.67%	0.18%
Total not D or R			34.20%	0.47%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Republican Party voter share by almost seven (7) percent. Non-Partisan voter share is less than one (1) percent from overtaking the GOP.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-155	-0.14%	33.71%	-0.17%
R	-129	-0.12%	33.74%	-0.16%
NP	928	1.21%	24.39%	0.20%
IAP	43	0.29%	4.62%	0.00%
LIB	16	0.39%	1.29%	0.00%
Other	465	6.95%	2.24%	0.14%
Total not D or R			32.54%	0.34%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

While the two major parties are still #1 and #2, the combined total of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is just over one (1) percent away from taking over the #1 or #2 position.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-201	-2.63%	20.21%	-0.12%
R	-455	-1.90%	50.00%	-0.29%
NP	804	-1.12%	21.85%	0.34%
IAP	-42	-2.30%	5.35%	-0.03%
LIB	3	-3.41%	1.13%	0.00%
Other	212	7.04%	1.46%	0.10%
Total not D or R			29.79%	0.41%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Non-Partisan voter share is in the #2 spot exceeding Democratic Party voter share by almost two (2) percent. The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party exceeds Democratic Party voter share by almost 10 percent.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-462	-0.25%	35.80%	-0.37%
R	-500	-0.48%	20.07%	-0.25%
NP	3,583	2.05%	34.63%	0.44%
IAP	59	0.25%	4.63%	-0.02%
LIB	27	0.33%	1.58%	-0.01%
Other	1,220	7.77%	3.29%	0.21%
Total not D or R			44.13%	0.62%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

The combined voter share of those not registered to vote in either the Democratic or Republican Party is solidly in the #1 position by over eight (8) percent over the Democratic Party and 14 percent over the Republican Party. Non-Partisan voter share on its own exceeds GOP voter share by just under 15 percent and is just over one (1) percent away from taking the lead from the Democratic Party.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	371	0.14%	36.56%	-0.14%
R	318	0.11%	39.68%	-0.16%
NP	2,099	1.66%	17.46%	0.20%
IAP	153	0.49%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	18	0.56%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	772	7.28%	1.55%	0.10%
Total not D or R			23.75%	0.30%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	3	0	1
LIB	0	0	4
Other	0	4	0

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	21	0	0
NP	0	21	0
IAP	11	2	8
LIB	6	3	12
Other	0	21	0

In all 21 districts (100%) 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 exceeds the Republican Party in 10 districts and the Democratic Party in two (2) districts. The combined total exceeds the Republican Party in two (2) districts and the Democratic Party in three (3) districts.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	42	0	0
NP	0	42	0
IAP	22	12	8
LIB	9	7	26
Other	0	42	0

In all 42 districts (100%) 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 exceeds the Republican Party in 17 districts and the Democratic Party in three (3) districts. The combined total exceeds the Republican Party in nine (9) districts and the Democratic Party in 10 districts.

The Nevada legislature just passed Assembly Bill (AB) 126 to replace the Party-run presidential nominating caucuses with a state-run closed partisan primary. One of the stated advantages was that more people would participate in the process. But given the voter registration trend, just how many voters will be eligible?

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021

Combined Non-Partisan and Minor Party Registration Approaching Leading Voter Share

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

Less than three percent now remains until those not registered to vote as either Democratic or Republican become the largest voting bloc in Nevada. That group is already the largest bloc among voters 18 to 34 years of age by over seven percent. The voter registration numbers for April 2021 continue to show no change to this trend.

Just how strong is this change in voter party preference? This table shows the voter share as of April 2011, 2016, and 2021. Note the change from 2016 to 2021 is more than double the change from 2011 to 2016.

Party	2011	2016	Diff	2021	Diff
D	42.09%	40.08%	-2.01%	35.78%	-4.30%
R	36.38%	35.02%	-1.36%	31.27%	-3.75%
NP	15.82%	18.93%	+3.11%	25.13%	+6.20%
Other	5.71%	5.98%	+0.27%	7.82%	+1.84%
Total Not D or R	21.53%	24.91%	+3.38%	32.95%	+8.04%

Here are the March to April 2021 changes

State-Wide

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-1,183	-0.18%	35.78%	-0.23%
R	-2,311	-0.41%	31.27%	-0.27%
NP	8,006	1.79%	25.13%	0.33%
IAP	158	0.19%	4.55%	-0.01%
LIB	44	0.25%	0.97%	0.00%
Other	3,574	9.42%	2.29%	0.19%
Total not D or R			32.95%	0.51%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Clark County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	20	0.00%	38.83%	-0.32%
R	-154	-0.04%	27.44%	-0.24%
NP	7,367	2.26%	25.97%	0.36%
IAP	328	0.59%	4.40%	-0.01%
LIB	114	1.03%	0.87%	0.00%
Other	2,948	10.18%	2.49%	0.21%
Total not D or R			33.73%	0.56%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Washoe County

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-29	-0.03%	33.89%	-0.18%
R	-71	-0.07%	33.91%	-0.19%
NP	1,158	1.53%	24.19%	0.24%
IAP	101	0.69%	4.62%	0.01%
LIB	15	0.37%	1.29%	0.00%
Other	434	6.94%	2.10%	0.13%
Total not D or R			32.21%	0.38%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

Rural Counties

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-1,174	-2.63%	20.34%	-0.17%
R	-2,086	-1.90%	50.29%	-0.05%
NP	-519	-1.12%	21.51%	0.15%
IAP	-271	-2.30%	5.38%	-0.03%
LIB	-85	-3.41%	1.13%	-0.02%
Other	192	7.04%	1.37%	0.11%
Total not D or R			29.38%	0.21%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

18 – 34 Year Old

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-530	-0.29%	36.17%	-0.35%
R	-1,066	-1.02%	20.33%	-0.35%
NP	3,653	2.14%	34.19%	0.49%
IAP	-28	-0.12%	4.65%	-0.04%
LIB	-2	-0.02%	1.59%	-0.01%
Other	1,396	9.76%	3.08%	0.25%
Total not D or R			43.50%	0.69%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

55+

Party	Change in # Voters	% Change	% Voter Share	Difference in Voter Share %
D	-379	-0.14%	36.70%	-0.15%
R	-581	-0.20%	39.84%	-0.18%
NP	1,887	1.52%	17.26%	0.21%
IAP	86	0.27%	4.31%	0.00%
LIB	12	0.38%	0.44%	0.00%
Other	894	9.20%	1.45%	0.12%
Total not D or R			23.46%	0.33%

Other includes Green Party, Natural Law Party, other or not specified.

By district voter share changes.

Congressional Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	4	0	0
Republican	4	0	0
NP	0	4	0
IAP	4	0	0
LIB	1	0	3
Other	0	4	0

In all Congressional districts (100 percent of the districts) the number of voters not affiliated with either major party EXCEEDS the number of voters registered to one of the major parties. Non-Partisan exceeds the Republican Party in one (1) district; the combined total exceeds both major parties in one (1) district.

State Senate Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	21	0	0
Republican	20	0	1
NP	1	20	0
IAP	11	2	8
LIB	4	6	11
Other	0	21	0

In all 21 districts (100%) 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. In 18 districts (86%), 5 Democratic, 13 Republican, the number exceeds. Of those, Non-Partisan EXCEEDS Democratic registration in two (2) districts and Republican registration in nine (9) districts.

State Assembly Districts

Party	# Districts Lose Voter Share	# Districts Gain Voter Share	# Districts No Change
Democratic	42	0	0
Republican	41	1	0
NP	1	41	0
IAP	26	10	6
LIB	9	12	21
Other	0	42	0

In all 42 districts (100%) 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. In 38 districts (90%) the number; 12 Democratic, 26 Republican, the number exceeds. Of those, Non-Partisan registration EXCEEDS Republican in 18 districts.

A Republican-sponsored bill (SB121) to address this growing shift in the political landscape was denied a hearing by Democratic leadership.