By Doug Goodman -Founder & Executive Director Nevadans for Election Reform
Young people seventeen years of age in Nevada can pre-register to vote.
In doing so they are clearly showing that partisan politics is now in what some call the “end of life stage”, that point where death is immanent. Ignoring this will not make it go away. Ignoring could actually hasten the process. When we know a loved one is near death, we plan for the end.
We know from monthly voter registration reports from the secretary of state’s office, voters 18 – 34 years of age are not enamored with political parties. Nearly 31 percent are registered as Non-Partisan and a total just under 40 percent are not members of either the Democratic or Republican Party. These percentages are 10 percent higher than state-wide numbers. And while the percent registered as Non-Partisan has continuously surpassed the percentage registered in the GOP, September 2018 saw for the first time the percent shunning both major political parties higher than the percent registered as Democratic. First indicator end of life may be nearing.
Entering end of life. Seventeen-year-old pre-registration is now confirming partisan politics has entered its end of life and all “family members”; political parties, legislators, and older voters, need to start planning.
Pre-registration data is maintained by the counties.
In Washoe County, 582 seventeen-year-olds have pre-registered:
NP – 260 (44.67%)
D – 180 (30.93%
R – 118 (20.28%)
O – 24 (4.12%)
In Clark County, 2,041seventeen-year-olds have pre-registered:
D – 819 (40.13%)
NP – 749 (36.70%)
R – 351 (17.19%)
O – 122 (5.98%)
Of the total 2,623 seventeen-year-olds who have pre-registered to vote, slightly more have registered as Non-Partisan (38.47%) than Democratic (38.08%). The Republican Party is far behind at 17.88%. Combined, the Independent American Party, Libertarian Party, Green Party, and any other party account for the remaining 5.57%.
The status quo of politics will no longer work. Low turnout closed partisan primary elections, where a decreasingly small number of party loyalists determine the choice offered to the larger majority will no longer work. Limiting voter choice will no longer work. Legislating by party caucus, refusing to collaborate and truly solve ever-changing problems will no longer work.
Partisan Politics has entered the end of life stage. “Family” needs to start planning. Nevadans for Election Reform has a plan.