URGENT UPDATE: Nevada is witnessing an unprecedented surge in nonpartisan voters, with recent changes to the voter registration process contributing to a dramatic shift. As of now, nonpartisans have overtaken Democrats and Republicans as the largest voting bloc in the state, and the gap continues to widen.
Since the implementation of a new automatic voter registration program in 2020, the default option for registering at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been nonpartisan. However, beginning in 2025, voters will no longer be able to select their preferred party at the DMV. Instead, their information will be sent directly to county election offices, and those eligible will receive a form to select their political party by mail. If voters do not respond, they will automatically be registered as nonpartisan, which means they cannot participate in partisan primaries.
This change is expected to inflate the number of Nevadans identifying as nonpartisans, potentially clouding the political landscape. In Clark County, a staggering 94% of over 105,000 new voters this year are nonpartisan. In Washoe County, 88% of more than 21,000 new registrants fall into the same category, according to local election data.
The implications of these changes are significant. Since the start of the year, Nevada has seen an increase of nearly 74,000 active nonpartisan voters, while the number of registered Democrats has decreased by approximately 34,000 and Republicans by 25,000. This stark contrast highlights a shifting political dynamic.
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar emphasized the need for discussions on whether this new process is beneficial for voters. “The best thing we can do for voters is to streamline the process as much as possible,” Aguilar stated. The Secretary’s office plans to send postcards to all active registered voters ahead of the 2026 elections, providing guidance on checking their registration status online.
Political experts warn that this surge in nonpartisan voters complicates the work of political parties. David Damore, a political science professor at UNLV, remarked that understanding the electorate is becoming “much more difficult.” Despite these concerns, political operatives from both major parties believe they can adapt, citing various factors that influence voter turnout beyond registration alone.
Peter Koltak, a Democratic operative, noted, “Registration is not the only piece of information that campaigns are operating off of.” Meanwhile, Jeremy Hughes, a Republican campaign manager, stressed the importance of accurate data collection to identify swing voters effectively.
The legislative changes began with Assembly Bill 432, passed in 2021, which aimed to include more agencies in the automatic voter registration process. However, adjustments to how voters choose their party affiliation were made in response to concerns raised by the DMV regarding transaction efficiency and voter autonomy.
As we approach the 2026 elections, the focus will be on how political parties navigate this evolving landscape. With the number of nonpartisan voters on the rise, campaigns must refine their strategies to engage this crucial segment of the electorate.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Nevada’s political future may hinge on how well parties adapt to these shifts and how effectively they can reach the growing population of nonpartisan voters. Stay tuned for developments as the 2026 elections approach.
