The implications of a closed primary system

The first opportunity to demonstrate the power of the vote in Nevada in this election year is less than two months away. Registered Democrats and Republicans can exercise this precious right in the June 8, 2010, primary election.

Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer Ted Thran clarified primary elections for members of the Douglas County Republican Central Committee at their April meeting. He identified who can vote, spoke to the composition of the primary ballot and provided information about early voting.

As defined by state law, a primary election is the method by which Nevada Democratic and Republican candidates for offices, and candidates for nonpartisan offices, are nominated as candidates for the general election. State law mandates that only the two major political parties can participate in the primary election. Therefore only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary.

Nevada is a closed primary state. A Democrat may vote for a Democratic candidate only, and a Republican may vote only for a Republican candidate. Ted noted that voters may re-register for this reason. May 18 is the final day to register, or re-register, to vote in this primary.

Ted specifically referenced NRS 293.260, the statute that describes ballot content. Generally, the names of the Democratic and Republican candidates for office appear on their party's primary ballot along with the names of the candidates for the nonpartisan offices. However, there are permutations. Voters may wonder why a candidate's name is not on the primary ballot.

For partisan offices and the office of justice of the Supreme Court, when the number of candidates who filed for nomination equals the number to be elected to that office, their name or names do not appear on the primary ballot. Instead, they are placed directly on all ballots for the general election.

Candidates' names also may be omitted from the primary ballot when just one of the two major parties has candidates filing for an office and there is no minor party or independent candidate having filed. When no more than twice the number of candidates for that office has filed, the major party's candidates are declared nominees. For example, two Republicans are the only candidates for the recorder's office in Douglas County. You will not find their names on the primary ballot, but will find them on the ballot for the general election.

A specific exclusion applies to the office of town advisory board. When the number of primary candidates equals the number of open seats the candidate or candidates are declared elected.

Ted described the primary election for the Town of Minden as exemplifying what happens in nonpartisan primary elections when more than twice the number of candidates has filed for the positions to be filled. In Minden there are seven candidates, and three spots which are open. The six candidates receiving the most votes (twice the number to be elected) will be declared candidates for the general election.

For some nonpartisan offices a candidate can be elected in the primary. This can occur when the number of candidates filing for nomination equals the number to be elected to that office. Ted provided another example in the upcoming primary. Only one candidate has filed for the office of sheriff. If just a single vote is received by the sheriff candidate, he will be elected and will not be a candidate in the general election.

Those voting by absentee ballot in this primary can go online to ensure their ballots were received. Ted regards this as particularly helpful to those in military service. Douglas County's clerk-treasurer is the first in the state to implement this process. Information about obtaining an absentee ballot is available online. Search Douglas County clerk-treasurer to access the Web site.

There will be early primary voting beginning on May 22. Locations for early voting include the new main location, the Douglas County Administration Building at 1616 Eighth St., in Minden, and several satellite locations. A registered voter can vote early at any of these locations regardless of the voter's address. The addresses of early voting locations and the dates and times available for voting at each location are included on the clerk-treasurer's Web site.

Joyce Holstein and Mary Porter are members of the Douglas County Republican Central Committee