Category: Voter Registration Trends

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office has released voter registrationstatistics for January, 2015 and the trend of voters favoring registration as Non-Partisan or in one of the minor parties over the Democratic or Republican Party continues.

The 78^th regular session of the Nevada Legislature is under way. Voter registration trends provide the justification to act now on the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA).

      ** This age group experienced a 10.1% increase in registered voters (+27,339)

In addition to the interesting numbers hidden in the December 2014 voter registration totals, active voters registered as Non-Partisan outnumber active voters registered in the Republican Party in 14.3 percent of both assembly and senate districts. In no district do Non-Partisans outnumber those registered in the Democratic Party. In two assembly districts Republicans outnumber Non-Partisans by less than 100 voters.

* Difference is 166 voters resulting in 19 percent each if rounded.

In AD 15 there are 4,822 Non-Partisans compared to 4,871 Republicans, a difference of 49 voters. In AD 24, the numbers are 6,235 Non-Partisans versus 6,331 Republicans, a difference of 96.

There are eight stateswhere independent voter registration outnumbers registration for both major parties. Is Nevada poised to join this list? If the current trend continues, I believe there is no question. The Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) will ensure Nevada’s elected officials truly represent the voters of the state.  

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office released voter registrationstatistics for December, 2014 on January 5, 2015.  While the overall comparison to the end of November shows the state lost only 1,828 active registered voters (0.15%). A closer look reveals some interesting developments. (Percentages are the difference between November and December 2014)

Younger voters, those 18 – 24 years old left the voting rolls in droves, -30,238 (25.6%) Of these voters

            12,239 left the Democratic Party (28.5%)

            7,045 left the Republican Party (26.1%)

            8,447 were registered as Non-Partisan (22.1%)

            2,507 left the minor parties (25.7%)

Older voters, those 65 and over replaced the younger voters, +32,849 (11.0%) Of these voters

            13,565 joined the Democratic Party (11.1%)

            12,221 joined the Republican Party (9.8%)

            5,180 registered as Non-Partisan (14.0%)

            1,883 joined one of the minor parties (13.1%)

The Republican Party lost 420 more voters than the Democratic Party; 1176 to 756 (0.28% to 0.15%)

Non-Partisan and registration in minor parties increased; 84 (0.04%) and 20 (0.03%) respectively

In Clark County all parties gained registered voters with registration as Non-Partisan and in minor parties leading the way

            Democratic Party – 963 (0.26%)

            Republican Party – 474 (0.18%)

            Non-Partisan – 975 (0.58%)

            Minor Parties – 292 (0.58%)

In Washoe County all parties lost registered voters evenly

            Democratic Party – 1706 (2.1%)

            Republican Party – 1717 (2.0%)

            Non-Partisan – 970 (2.3%)

            Minor Parties – 334 (2.0%)

Why did the younger voters depart? Were they part of the majority that did not bother to vote in November? The more important question is how do we get them to return and vote? Is the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) part of the answer?

The Nevada Secretary of State’s office released voter registrationstatistics December 1^st covering the period from close of registration prior to the election; October 14^th to November 30^th. While all categories; Democratic, Republican, Non-Partisan, and other gained active voters, the only voter registration category to increase its percentage of registered voters was Non-Partisan.

The trend was the same; state-wide, Clark and Washoe Counties, and the 18 – 34 year-old demographic. In six weeks, in spite of an historic low turnout that gave control of the state government to one party, voters are still expressing their dissatisfaction with the two major political parties.

The legislature can reverse this trend of growing dissatisfaction. The legislature can demonstrate a commitment to all voters. The Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) provides the means.

The Secretary of State’s office today, released the final voter registration numbers for next month’s election; early voting starts Saturday, October 18^th.  From October 1^st thru October 14^th, more voters registered as Non-Partisan (3,202) than Democratic (2,466) or Republican (2,955).

Since the close of voter registration for the November, 2012 election, the number of active voters registered as Non-Partisan jumped more than ten percent. When combined with those registered in minor parties, there was a jump of almost nine and one-half percent of voters who choose not to affiliate with either the Republican of Democratic Party.  During the same time period, Democratic registration fell by over five percent. Republican registration held fairly constant, dropping only three-tenths of one percent.

The following tables show the breakdown by state, Clark County, Washoe County, voters 18 – 34 years of age, and total not affiliated with either major party. The major political parties do not have to view these numbers pessimistically. There can be a silver lining. The voting demographic has changed. Voters are losing faith in both the Democratic and Republican Party because of the move to the extreme to please a vocal minority. The Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) provides a means for the parties to recognize this changing demographic. Filing of a Bill Draft Request (BDR) will allow the 2015 session of the Nevada State Legislature to debate the pros and cons of NEMRA and show voters their preferences are being noticed.

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Will voters registered to vote as Non-Partisan reach 20 percent before voter registration for the November election closes in two weeks? Based on the voter registration statistics for September released todayby the secretary of state, that is a definite possibility.

Non-Partisans now account for 19.1 percent of active voters and 19.58 percent of total voters. When voters registered in one of the minor parties are added in, 25.45 percent of active and 26.11 percent of all voters chose not to affiliate with either of the two major parties. For 18 – 34 year old voters the numbers are almost 10 percent higher; 28.65 percent of active and 28.09 percent of total voters registered as Non-Partisan; 36.81 percent and 36.31 percent respectively not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican Party.

During this same period, both the Democratic and Republican parties held constant, with changes up or down mostly less than one-tenth of one percent. This means more new registrants are choosing Non-Partisan.

As I have pointed the major political parties can slow or reverse this trend, but to do that they have to accept this growing number of independent-minded voters. Supporting the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA), working for its introduction and passage in the 2015 legislative session will help them show they value the input of this rapidly growing segment of the voting population.  

The Secretary of State’s office today released voter registration numbers for August. There are no surprises. The number of voters registered as Non-Partisan continues to climb; 18.9 percent of active voters and 19.4 percent of total voters. When those registered to minor parties are included, 25.2 percent of active voters and 25.9 percent of total voters are not affiliated with either the Democrat or Republican Party.  Younger voters, those 18 – 34 years of age, continue to register 10 percent higher than state totals.

These numbers highlight the need for the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA). If the major political parties want to strengthen Nevada’s electoral process, welcome those whose ideas may not be ideologically pure to the party, if they do not want to ignore over 25 percent of registered voters (35 percent of younger voters), and if they want to strengthen the party rather than continue to lose membership, all that is needed to start the discussion is for one legislator to file the BDR for NEMRA.

Given the continuing trend in voter registration numbers, there is no reason not to have this discussion during the 2015 legislative session. The citizens of Nevada deserve no less.