Trump's voter roll order could have 'drastic' effect on Nevada, top election officer says
Indy Elections takes you behind the headlines of Nevada politics, delivering scoops and smart analysis on the races that could reshape our lives. You can change your newsletter settings here.
In today's edition: In Nevada, 2028 has already begun. Plus: Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar reacts to Trump's latest order on mail ballots, the Reno mayoral race goes on air and our take on Ford's fundraising.
With overseas and military ballots going out this month, we're planning to publish stories to help guide you through the primary almost every day. Start with Eric's informative FAQ to make sure you know the timeline and are ready to vote.
This newsletter is published every week. We want to hear from you! Email your newsletter editor Mini Racker at [email protected].
Which 2028 presidential hopefuls are coming to Nevada?
Just as publishing a splashy memoir or appearing frequently on TV can signal a growing interest in running for president, trips to Nevada suggest that a politician is laying the groundwork for a 2028 bid.
Nevada Democrats are pushing hard to host the first presidential primary of 2028 and will almost certainly host one in the early window. Republicans, meanwhile, will also likely cast early ballots in their presidential primary — their first truly open contest since 2016.
We've built the most comprehensive tracker of potential candidates' trips to the state. Check it out and read the details about how it came together. Know about an event we missed? Email me at [email protected].
— Mini Racker
How could Trump's latest election order affect Nevada?
President Donald Trump's executive order last week to only send mail ballots to people on federally created lists of apparent eligible voters could have drastic effects on Nevada's voter rolls if it survives legal challenges, Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar (D) told The Indy.
These lists are supposed to be transmitted to state election officials 60 days or less before a federal election — a time frame that Aguilar said is too short to ensure accuracy.
"Building a system that is that complex, that fast and not testing it to ensure that the errors are as low as possible, could have very big harms on voters," Aguilar said.
The order also says that states can provide suggested modifications to the lists. But Aguilar said this would be a painstaking process that would only place more burdens on local election officials in the hectic days leading up to an election.
"This is an unfunded mandate on state and local governments," Aguilar said.
Election law experts have said the order violates the U.S. Constitution, which gives state legislatures the authority to oversee the "Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections," while Congress can pass election-related laws that all states must follow.
Nevada is part of a multistate lawsuit filed Friday to block the order.
— Eric Neugeboren
What we're reading and writing
As middle-class Americans struggle, should Las Vegas focus on serving wealthy tourists?
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) said Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) lied about their communications on lawsuits.
D.C. Download
On Monday, I spoke with Rep. Steven Horsford (D) about his RELIEF ACT, which would refund tariff costs to small businesses. We also discussed his Congressman on the Job initiative, in which he walks a day in constituents' shoes and films the experience. He's already done shifts as a grocery store stocker, a food runner and a bartender. A stint collecting trash is in the works. Our interview has been edited for length and clarity.
MR: The RELIEF Act — this one might be harder to get Republicans on board. How are you thinking about that?
SH: It shouldn't be hard at all because it's a pretty simple idea, right? The government, in this case, the Trump administration, imposed tariffs that were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, and that means that those tariffs must be paid back. That is what the courts have ordered. … My bill, the RELIEF Act, is simple. It says, provide automatic refunds within 90 days. No red tape, no bureaucracy. … It's not about Donald Trump. This is about what the courts have dictated. … Big business, big corporations, because they have lawyers and law firms and accounting firms, they are able to petition to get their money back. I'm not worried about them. I'm worried about the mom and pop businesses in my district, the business like Mario's Grocery Store that I was just at.
MR: Lastly, the Congressman on the Job initiative … is there any special setup to have you there or is it just a normal day, anyone can walk in and see you serving at the bar?
SH: It's a normal day. … Workers talk to me about the challenges dealing with child care, transportation, the cost of housing. These are not things that, per se, are about the job, but it's about the things that impact their ability to get to work. And sometimes if they have to leave early — one of the small-business owners had to leave in order to go pick up their kids, and she's like, "I'll be back. But you got the bar, congressman!" … We take some of these jobs for granted. … It's time for us to reward work and not just wealth. Too much focus in this country, particularly in this administration, is focused on the wealthy.
MR: What's one specific thing you've learned through the series that you didn't know before?
SH: Well, it's a damn hard thing to make a martini under pressure at The Dustland. … I try to be so proficient at the thing that I'm doing, and so, whether it's pouring the cocktail to its exact measurement, or adding the elements to make it look special, it takes a lot of skill to do these jobs.
— Mini Racker
First TV ad in Reno mayoral race
Reno City Councilmember Devon Reese entered the airwaves last week as the first candidate in the mayoral race to go live.
The 15-second TV spot describes his vision for "a park and a path that runs the length of the river, the small businesses and housing just beyond" in Reno. Reese's campaign has so far focused on the Riverwalk District, the downtown area surrounding the Truckee River.
He has made about $6,300 in ad reservations so far.
It's the first open race for Reno mayor in a dozen years. Other candidates include Kate Marshall, the former Nevada lieutenant governor and treasurer, Reno City Councilmember Kathleen Taylor and Eddie Lorton, a perennial mayoral candidate.
— Eric Neugeboren
Mini Series
💰First in The Indy— Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) brought in more than a million dollars in the first quarter of the year, her team told The Indy first. That's not only her highest ever first-quarter fundraising number, it's the highest for any Nevada House race in history for that quarter, beating the record Lee set in 2024. She now has more than $3 million in cash on hand.
🤑 Ford raises $1.5M in Q1 — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) raised $1.5 million from January through March for his gubernatorial bid and has about $2.7 million in cash on hand.
- The headline of his announcement said the $1.5 million haul (composed of campaign and affiliated PAC donations) was "record breaking" for a non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate across this time period. But it was a lower amount than then-Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo (R) raised four years ago, which totaled about $2 million in campaign and PAC fundraising, bolstered by a $1 million contribution from a "dark money" GOP group. Ford's campaign did, however, break the record for direct campaign donations for non-incumbent gubernatorial candidates. He received 13,000 donations — with 90 percent $80 or less — totaling $1.23 million, besting Lombardo's 2022 haul of about $825,000.
☑️ SAVE Act in Nevada? — Last week, Assm. Lisa Cole (R-Las Vegas) was appointed honorary chairwoman of the SAVE Nevada Now PAC, which is pushing for a localized version of the proposed federal policy. The federal SAVE Act would require in-person proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) in order for people to register to vote in federal elections, meaning in most states a driver's license or tribal ID would be inadequate. In a press release, the group said that the policy would be a key part of Cole's legislative agenda and that they plan to endorse candidates that align with their mission.
- On Thursday, the SAVE Nevada Now PAC endorsed Lombardo, who said he was "proud" of the endorsement on X. Lombardo's team did not return a request for comment on whether he supports the SAVE Act.
- Former assistant sheriff to Lombardo and candidate for State Senate District 8 Laz Chavez (R) has also made the SAVE Act a part of his election bid and said the policy would create a "safer" and "stronger" Nevada. On a mailer, Chavez said that if elected, he plans on coordinating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to clean up voter rolls. Chavez did not immediately return a request for comment.
✅Emily's List backs candidates in open Assembly races; Dem caucus not weighing in — A group dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women, EMILYs List, has endorsed candidates in the following four open Assembly races. The organization, which normally aligns with the Assembly Democratic caucus' picks, marks major endorsements for these candidates as the caucus is not endorsing in open races this cycle.
- Kamilah Bywaters in Assembly District 2. Her primary opponent is Mike Kung.
- Maria Teresa Hank in Assembly District 9. Her primary opponent is recovery advocate Ryan Hampton.
- Ashley Delobel in Assembly District 29. Her primary opponents are Brad Combs and Alex Pereszlenyi.
- Gabriela Wyett in Assembly District 41. Her primary opponents are Vinny Spotleson and Spencer Ridenour.
👀 Incumbent solidarity splinters? — Assm. Reuben D'Silva (D-North Las Vegas) on Saturday endorsed North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron (D) in his primary challenge against sitting state Sen. Edgar Flores (D-Las Vegas). The two state lawmakers' districts overlap, and when Flores ran for Senate in 2022, D'Silva succeeded him in his Assembly seat.
- The move is likely due to Flores' vote against last year's film tax credit bill, which D'Silva voted for. D'Silva's endorsement is a rare example of a state lawmaker supporting a primary challenge against his own party's incumbent.
- The film bill had strong support from construction unions, which argued that it would generate jobs for Nevadans. The Clark County Education Association (CCEA) also supported it, touting direct revenue toward free pre-K programs in Clark County. In March, Barron — a former teacher — was endorsed by the Clark County Education Association, of which D'Silva is a member and strong supporter. D'Silva and Barron taught together at Rancho High School.
— Mini Racker, Eric Neugeboren, Isabella Aldrete, Tabitha Mueller and Kate Reynolds
Looking Ahead
- Thursday, April 9 — The DNC kicks off its spring meeting
- Friday, April 10 — Candidates may begin placing signs along controlled areas of the interstate and primary routes
A post that caught our eye:
Republicans are certainly watching Susie Lee's language.
We'll see you next week.
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