Nevada Assembly Speaker Proposes Bill Allowing Nonpartisans Voting Primaries

Nevada Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager has introduced Assembly Bill 597, which would allow nonpartisan voters—who make up roughly 35% of the state's electorate—to participate in partisan primary elections, including state and presidential primaries. The bill permits nonpartisan voters to request partisan mail ballots or vote in person during primaries, aiming to expand their voting options despite the recent defeat of a similar ballot measure that combined ranked-choice voting with open primaries. The legislation faces opposition from Republican leaders and groups who argue it could cause electoral confusion, undermine the integrity of primaries by allowing non-affiliated voters to influence party nominations, and increase election costs. Yeager’s bill is viewed as a significant move to reshape Nevada’s primary election system, but critics emphasize that voters rejected a similar proposal in the 2024 election, framing AB 597 as ignoring the electorate’s decision. The bill is set for discussion in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections committee and must pass both houses by the end of the legislative session. This development highlights ongoing debates over primary election participation and party control in Nevada’s evolving political landscape.