What is a Primary Election and why is it important?
A Primary Election is conducted so that voters can select candidates for an election to take place later that year (this year’s General Election will be held Tuesday, November 5). This year’s Primary Election will determine which candidates move forward to the General Election; however, if a candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the Primary Election, a General Election will not be held and the candidate who received more than 50% of the vote will win that race.
Primary Elections often do not receive the same level of attention as a General Election, but are critical, especially in local and state races, such as school board, city council, and state legislative races. Your vote and your voice is critical to ensure your interests are represented in local and state government, and in those elected roles that will impact schools, students, families, and communities.
Below is information about the 2024 Primary Election in Nevada, so you can make a plan, research your candidates, and be ready to vote.
When is the Primary Election?
The 2024 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 11. It will be a “hybrid” election with an option to vote by mail or vote in-person. You can also vote in-person during early voting, at special early voting sites. Early voting will take place Saturday, May 25 – Friday, June 7.
How do I vote?
- To vote by mail: You will receive a mail-in ballot packet to your address on record if you are registered to vote. You can:
- Drop off your packet to a designated drop-off site. Click here for a list of Clark County drop-off sites, and click here for a list of Washoe County drop-off sites.
- Mail in your ballot in the postage-paid return envelope provided. Your ballot packet must be postmarked on or before Primary Election Day, and received by the Election Department on or before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. Be sure to follow all instructions, including signatures on the ballot and on the envelope.
- To vote in-person: Proceed to a designated voting site either during the early voting period or on Primary Election Day. If you have your mail ballot with you, you must surrender it at the voting site. If you do not have it with you, you must sign an affirmation that you are not voting twice in the same election.
- Your sample ballot will be mailed to the address on record if you are registered to vote. It will have all candidates for your districts in federal, state, and local races, as well as ballot questions, as well as voting centers, frequently asked questions, and additional information on voting.
- A schedule of early voting sites and Election Day vote centers will be in your sample ballot and on the respective county’s website. You can also check early voting sites for Clark County here and Washoe County here.
- If you plan to vote on Election Day, check your county’s website for voting sites, as these may differ from early voting locations.
How can I check to see if I am registered to vote?
You can register to vote, update your voter registration, and check to ensure you are registered and that your information is current (such as your address) through the Nevada Secretary of State’s website.
Who are my elected representatives?
You can look up your elected representatives here. Use your address or zip code to determine your Congressional representative, State Assembly and Senate district, city council or county commission representatives, etc.
For school board-related inquiries:
- State Board of Education: The State Board of Education is composed of eleven members. Four members are elected from the four congressional districts in Nevada, and seven members are appointed. To find your elected representative, click here.
- County School Board: School board members are elected by district. To find your school board district and representative in Clark County, click here. For Washoe County, click here.
For additional questions on voting or the 2024 Primary Election, please visit the Secretary of State’s website here.
