Opening remarks
Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove once told me over breakfast that ballot initiatives drive people to vote, especially when voters aren't keen on the people at the top of the ticket. Both political parties know this to be true and it explains at least two of the questions that will be on your ballot in November.
Question 6: Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to make abortion access an individual right.
Nevada currently has language similar to the ballot question in our Nevada Revised Statutes, passage of this question would place that language in our Constitution.
Question 7: Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to require voter ID
Nevada doesn't currently require voters to show an I.D. to vote. This topic has been debated for decades in the NV Legislature but hasn't succeeded.
These are both legitimate questions to ask voters. They are also very important to the political parties because voters that are not driven to polls by the personalities on their ballot could very well be motivated to vote based on these policies.
Both of these questions must pass in November and again in 2026 to be "baked" into the Constitution.
There will be a total of seven ballot questions for voters to ponder this Election and I encourage folks to do their homework. You can follow this link to the Secretary of State's Office guide to the questions. The document lays out the exact language of each question as well as the arguments for and against each measure.
I would also encourage you to keep an eye on the Nevada Independent's
ballot question page where you can read more about the questions. They are also producing cool videos that explain each one.
-Tom
Important Dates
| Early Voting begins | October 19 |
| General Election | November 5 |
| 2025 Legislative Session | February 3 |
ICYMI
Nevada's Horsford named national co-chair for Harris-Walz campaign
RFK Jr. won’t appear on Nevada presidential ballot after agreement with state Dems
New voter check-in and registration system for Nevada
2024 ELECTION
Nevada Voter ID Coalition launches effort to support Ballot Question 7 - Voter ID Initiative
Governor Lombardo will serve as the organization's honorary chair and will be co-chaired by Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan.
Indy Explains: No sales tax on diapers? Question 5 on the 2024 Nevada ballot
Nevada voters will decide this November on Question 5, a measure that was placed on the ballot after it was introduced and passed at the 2023 Legislature and then signed by Governor Joe Lombardo to exempt diapers from the state's sales tax, which is currently 6.85%. If passed, the exemption would begin in 2025 and last until 2050, joining 19 other states in removing sales tax on diapers.
Harris leads Trump in four of seven swing states, Times poll says
Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in four of the swing states likely to decide the election and is narrowly behind in three others, according to polling for The Times. Harris is now ahead in Nevada by 3 points.
Nevada is one of the seven states the Cook Political Report rates as a Toss Up for the presidential election.
ECONOMY
Gov. Joe Lombardo announces new economic development organization
Governor Joe Lombardo has announced the launch of the Nevada Strategic Growth Initiative, a new private economic development organization designed to work alongside the state to foster job creation and sustainable business growth. The organization will operate as a nonprofit, collaborating with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, local and regional agencies, and chambers of commerce. Lombardo described the initiative as a key element in promoting Nevada as an ideal location for starting and growing businesses.
ENERGY
The Inflation Reduction Act may transform Nevada. Will voters care?
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden has brought significant federal investment to Nevada, spurring job creation and private investment in the clean-energy sector. The White House estimates that since the IRA's passage, private companies have invested nearly $10 billion into Nevada's battery, clean power, and electric vehicle industries, resulting in more than 20,000 jobs. Despite the IRA’s potential to transform Nevada’s economy, delays in tangible results, coupled with Republican threats to repeal the law, could undermine its impact.
ENVIRONMENT
Finalized federal plan outlines future of Nevada, Western solar development
The Bureau of Land Management's final Western Solar Plan would increases the total acreage available for solar development from 22 million to 31 million acres of Nevada’s public lands for potential large-scale solar projects. This plan, which could disproportionately impact Nevada, has garnered support from solar developers and clean-energy groups but has drawn criticism from conservationists concerned about environmental impacts and restricted public access to these lands. The BLM, however, states that only an an estimated 700,000 acres of land may be needed for new solar projects through 2045, suggesting that much of the designated land may not be utilized
INFRASTRUCTURE
Google to spend $400 million to expand Nevada data centers
Google has announced a $400 million investment in Nevada aimed at expanding its data center campuses in Storey and Clark counties to meet the growing demand for Google Cloud, AI innovations, and other digital services. This latest funding brings Google's total investment in Nevada to over $2.2 billion since 2019. The investment, praised by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and former Governor Brian Sandoval, underscores the state's growing status as a technology hub. Google is additionally contributing $500,000 to the National Forest Foundation for wildfire prevention and water conservation in the Tahoe National Forest, reflecting its commitment to environmental stewardship.