Nevada Polling Hours & Key Election Day Info 2016

Nevada Election 2012, Nevada voting 2012, las vegas nevada 2012 election

Voters cast their ballot at the polling station at John Fremont Middle School on November 6, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty)

Voters in Nevada head to the polls on Tuesday, and the eyes of the country are upon them, as this is one of several states considered a major battleground in the 2016 election. Just as important as the presidential race, though, is everything that’s down further on ballot, including races for seats in the the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, the Nevada House, the Nevada Senate, and more. Plus, four ballot measures will appear in front of voters.

Here’s what you need to know as you head to the polls this year.

POLLING HOURS & LOCATIONS: Polls in Nevada are open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. As long as you’re in line by 7:00 p.m., though, you’ll be able to vote. To see where you need to go to vote, find your polling place on the Secretary of State’s website.

TRACKING RESULTS: To view Nevada’s election results as they come in, visit this official webpage from the Nevada state government.

WHAT’S AT STAKE IN FEDERAL RACES: Nevada is one of several key swing states in the 2016 election. Barack Obama won the state in 2012 and 2008, but George W. Bush won it in 2004 and 2000. Recent polls have given Hillary Clinton a slight lead in the state, but Clinton and Trump are within the margin of error, so they both have a realistic chance of winning here. If Donald Trump does not secure Nevada’s six electoral votes, his path to the White House becomes much more narrow, a fact which should motivate Nevada voters on both sides of the aisle. Meanwhile, Senator Harry Reid is retiring, and so fighting to fill his seat are Republican Joe Heck and Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. Four candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives are also up for election in Nevada:

  • In the first district, Republican Mary Perry is challenging Democratic Rep. Dina Titus.
  • In the second district, Democrat Chip Evans is challenging Republican Rep. Mark Amodei.
  • In the third district, Democrat Jacky Rosen and Republican Danny Tarkanian are both running for the seat of Republican Joe Heck, who is not seeking reeelction.
  • In the fourth district, Democrat Ruben Kihuen is challenging Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy.

Click here for a map of districts.

WHAT’S AT STAKE IN THE STATE RACES: In the Nevada state senate, 11 of the chamber’s 21 seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold a very slim majority in the Nevada senate, with 11 Republican senators versus 10 Democratic senators. In 2016, the Democrats have a significant chance of gaining control of the state’s senate. All 42 seats of the Nevada State Assembly are up for election as well. The Republicans currently hold control of the Assembly, with 24 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Like the state senate, the Assembly also may very well flip to Democratic control. In terms of judges, two incumbent members of the Nevada Supreme Court and three incumbent members of the Nevada Court of Appeals are seeking reelection and are running unopposed. Finally, four measures will appear on the ballot. They are as follows:

  • Question 1: Would require firearms to be sold through licensed gun dealers.
  • Question 2: Would legalize recreational marijuana for those over the age of 21, with funds from a 15 percent tax going towards education.
  • Question 3: Would attempt to eliminate energy monopolies, inserting into the state constitution language which says that Nevada requires an “open, competitive retail electric energy market.”
  • Question 4: Would exempt certain medical equipment from the sales and use tax.