Republicans in Nevada, unlike most other states, can vote twice in the presidential nominating process: in a primary and in caucuses. Here's an explanation of this confusing scenario, how it came about, and what it means for the broader 2024 Republican race.
The duels
Nevada will hold its Republican presidential primary on Tuesday. Two days later, the state Republican Party will hold caucuses.
The Silver State has historically held caucuses, but after the 2020 Iowa debacle, its Legislature voted to hold a presidential primary in 2024. The state Republican Party sued in an attempt to overturn the change. Although the lawsuit was unsuccessful, the Nevada Republican Party was allowed to hold its own caucuses. The state party said any candidate participating in the Nevada primary would not be able to participate in its caucuses.
What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?
In a primary, voters typically cast their ballots over several hours, days or weeks, either in person, through early voting centers or drop boxes, or by mail. In Nevada, all voters received ballots by mail. Early voting ended Friday; Voters can cast their ballots in person on Tuesday.
In caucuses, voters meet in person at a set time on a day, leading some to argue that such a process disenfranchises people who cannot attend such a meeting. The Nevada Republican Party will hold its in-person caucus in precincts across the state on Thursday from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Republican voters can participate in both primaries and caucuses. (The Democratic primary is also held on Tuesday. With the party's incumbent president on the ballot, the outcome is widely considered a foregone conclusion. Still, President Biden planned to campaign in Nevada on Sunday, a sign of the importance of the state in the general election. election.)
Does this change have anything to do with the Trump campaign?
Seeking to avoid the messy nature of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, his current advisers made strategic and surgical efforts to shape the GOP's rules in states across the country ahead of this year's primary season to make it easier for him. quick obtaining of the party nomination.
State Republican parties in Nevada, California and Michigan are among those that altered their delegate allocation rules ahead of the 2024 primaries in ways that benefit the former president, although state party officials maintained that the rule changes did not They were designed to benefit no one. candidate.
So do Nevadans' votes even matter?
Although Republican voters can participate in both primaries and caucuses, the state Republican Party has maintained that any candidate on the primary ballot cannot participate in its caucuses. The state's 26 delegates will be awarded through caucuses, and the winner will be Trump.
His only competition in the Nevada caucuses is a long shot: Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley.
Nikki Haley is the only Republican candidate still in the race competing in the Nevada primary. (Former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, who suspended their presidential bids, will also appear on the ballot, as will the “Neither Candidate” option.)
With her expected primary victory, Haley may generate some headlines.
But she opted not to compete in the Nevada caucuses and did not mention the state in her election night speech in New Hampshire, prompting Trump to declare shortly after she spoke: “I'm pleased to announce that we just won Nevada “.
