Non-Partisan and Minor Party Registration Continues to Outpace Both Major Parties

Increases in voter registrations as Non-Partisan or as members of a minor political party continue to outpace increases of both the Republican and Democratic parties. For the month of June, 2015, data just released by the Nevada Secretary of State’s office show the number of voters registered as Non-Partisan increased 1.02 percent over May, 2015. The number of voters registered to one of the minor political parties also increased by 0.78 percent. For the same time period, Democratic Party registration only grew 0.47 percent and registration in the GOP increased only 0.55 percent. As a percent of total registered voters both the Democratic and Republican parties decreased while Non-Partisan and minor parties increased their share of registered voters. Over 26 percent of active voters in Nevada now choose not to affiliate with a major political party.

This trend is not only present in the state-wide numbers. In Clark County Non-Partisan registration increased by 1.09 percent and minor parties 0.76 percent while Democratic and Republican party registration grew by only 0.51 and 0.71 percent respectively.

Washoe County also saw similar numbers. Non-Partisan, + 1.02, minor parties +0.94, Democratic Party +0.49, GOP +0.40.

In the 18 – 34 year old demographic, active voters registered as Non-Partisan or in a minor party continue to outnumber both the Democratic and Republican parties; 37.6 percent compared to 33.7 Democratic and 25.1 Republican. Non-Partisan registration increased 1.13 percent compared to 0.64 for Democrats and 1.08 for Republicans.

Similar growth was also recorded in the 55 and over age group. Non-Partisan registration grew by 0.76 percent. Minor party registration in this age group increased 0.88 percent. Comparatively, Democratic registration increased by only 0.41 percent and GOP registration by only 0.49 percent. 19.2 percent of voters in this group, almost 44 percent of all active voters in Nevada do not affiliate with either of the two major political parties.

Nevada voters continue to be disillusioned with both the Democratic and Republican parties. I highly doubt this trend will change.

I am currently laying the groundwork to bring the Nevada Election Modernization and Reform Act (NEMRA) back to legislators with the hope of having it introduced again in the 2017 legislative session. I am convinced voters want lawmakers to collaborate and find the best solutions for problems facing our state and nation without regard for partisanship. I am convinced voters will support processes that encourage lawmakers to achieve that goal.