Can nonpartisan voters vote in Nevada's primaries?

Although Nevadans registered as nonpartisan cannot vote in party primaries, there are races in which they can vote.

Many local government and all judicial contests are open for nonpartisans in Nevada's June primary. But primaries with candidates running as part of a party are only open to voters registered with that party.

However, there are no nonpartisan races for Carson City voters this year.

A ballot question in 2024 sought to open primaries, which would have allowed nonpartisans to vote in all primaries, and move Nevada to a ranked-choice system for most contestants in the general election. However, voters rejected it.

More than 38 percent of active registered voters are nonpartisan, more than are registered either major party. The number of nonpartisan voters has soared since the state began automatic voter registration in 2020. People signed up through that process default to nonpartisan status unless they choose another party.

Updated on 5/22/26 at 12:10 p.m. to add that the ballot question also included ranked-choice voting and on 5/23/26 at 2:54 p.m. to note that there are no nonpartisan races in Carson City this year.

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Sources

• Nevada law: NRS 293.257
• Nevada Secretary of State's Office: Voter registration statistics
• The Nevada Independent: Ballot question explainer
• The Nevada Independent: Ballot question results
• The Nevada Independent: 2026 primary races