Nevada Assembly Rejects Open Primaries Bill Ahead of 2025 Legislative Session

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — In a significant development regarding electoral reform in Nevada, the state’s leading Democrat in the Assembly confirmed on Tuesday that the party’s leadership will not pursue a bill aimed at establishing open primaries, despite the fervent advocacy from numerous supporters across the state.

Speaker Steve Yeager articulated this decision in a statement, attributing it to the robust rejection of Question 3 by Nevada voters. Remarkably, although the proposal for open primaries and ranked choice voting had garnered a 6-point victory in the 2022 election, it faced a setback in the 2024 election, failing by a margin of approximately 6 points.

“Nevada voters soundly rejected the concepts of Question 3. At this time, we are not looking to introduce legislation in the 2025 session on this issue,” Yeager emphasized, reflecting on the electorate’s decision. His remarks came after he had seemingly shown support for open primaries during a discussion on X just last month.

If it had been enacted, Question 3 would have amended the Nevada Constitution to incorporate both open primaries and ranked choice voting, a proposal that had sparked a considerable debate among voters.

Proponents of open primaries remain undeterred, insisting they will continue their efforts to introduce a bill that emphasizes this more popular aspect of the now-defunct measure. They are calling upon legislative leaders to champion an open primary bill in the upcoming 2025 legislative session, seeking to revitalize the conversation around voter inclusivity.

“The bill’s already there. It just needs to be resubmitted into the 2025 session, given hearings, passed and signed by the governor,” asserted Sondra Cosgrove, an advocate for open primaries and a professor of history at the College of Southern Nevada, referencing Senate Bill 121 from the 2021 legislature.

If legislative leadership does not want to do that, then I want them to explain why. I want them to explain why they are opposed to open primaries.

Senate Bill 121 seeks to transition all partisan elections in Nevada to an open primary format, allowing all candidates, irrespective of their political affiliation, to appear on a single lengthy primary ballot where voters can select their preferred candidate.

Unlike the previous proposal, which intended for the top five vote-getters to progress to a ranked choice general election, this new open primary model would enable the two candidates with the highest votes to advance to a standard general election showdown.

Advocates such as Cosgrove have championed the idea of open primaries as a means to amplify the voices of the 34% of Nevada’s electorate currently registered as nonpartisan, who presently find themselves excluded from closed primary elections.

The 2025 Nevada legislature is set to commence on Monday, February 3, marking a critical moment for those invested in reforming the state’s electoral process.

Email reporter Ben Margiott at [email protected]. Follow @BenMargiott on X and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.

What are the key benefits of open primaries in terms of voter participation and representation?

**Interview with Sondra Cosgrove:‌ A Push for Open Primaries in Nevada**

**Editor:** Thank you for joining us ​today, ‍Sondra. You’re a strong advocate for open primaries in Nevada. After the recent decision by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager not to pursue open primaries for the 2025 legislative session, how are you feeling‌ about the current political landscape?

**Sondra Cosgrove:** Thank you for having me. I must say, while I’m disappointed by the decision, I’m not deterred. The conversation around open primaries is vital, and we have a dedicated group of supporters ready to⁢ continue pushing​ for this change.

**Editor:** Speaker Yeager ‌mentioned that the decision stems from the recent rejection of Question 3​ by voters. How do you respond to‌ that sentiment?

**Sondra ​Cosgrove:** It’s important⁢ to understand that Question 3 was ‍a complex measure that⁤ included both open primaries and ranked choice voting. While it did gain initial support in 2022, the 2024 outcome shows a​ shift that we ⁣need to analyze closely. However, the idea of open primaries remains popular among many voters, and we ‍believe ​it deserves another chance in ‍the discussion.

**Editor:** What steps do you and your supporters plan to take in the lead-up to the 2025 session?

**Sondra Cosgrove:** Our focus will be on grassroots‍ mobilization. ‌We’re encouraging citizens to voice their support for open primaries to their local representatives. Additionally, we’ll be working on refining our proposal to‌ ensure it resonates​ with the electorate and addresses any concerns they might have.

**Editor:** There seems to be a strong sentiment ⁤for voter inclusivity ⁢among your supporters. Can you ‌elaborate ​on why open primaries are critical for Nevada voters?

**Sondra Cosgrove:** Absolutely. Open primaries can enhance voter‍ participation by allowing individuals to vote ⁤for candidates regardless of their registered ⁤party⁣ affiliation. This inclusivity can lead to a more representative democracy, where candidates must appeal to a broader base rather than just their party’s core voters. Our goal is⁢ to empower voters and make sure everyone has a voice in our elections.

**Editor:** Some might argue that the party’s decision reflects a stance on maintaining traditional‌ electoral practices. How do you believe the push for open primaries aligns with the overall goals of the Democratic Party in Nevada?

**Sondra Cosgrove:** I ‌believe ⁢that the push for open primaries aligns perfectly with the Democratic values of equality​ and representation. We want elections to reflect‌ the will of the people, and ‍open primaries can ​help achieve that. It’s about facilitating a political environment that engages everyone, not just those within a⁢ party’s confines.

**Editor:** Thank ⁢you for sharing your insights with us, Sondra. It will be interesting to see how this debate evolves leading up to the 2025 ⁤session.

**Sondra Cosgrove:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to discussing this further as we build momentum ⁤for a more⁤ inclusive electoral process⁢ in Nevada.