MEMORANDUM
To: Interested Parties
From: Hilary Barrett, Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Director
Date: November 18, 2024
Re: Democrats’ Success in Down Ballot Races Powered by Strong Grassroots Organizing
Despite a nationwide red wave at the presidential level this cycle, Nevada Democrats held their own in a tough environment and dominated down-ballot races. The Nevada State Democratic Party and our partners and allies built an overwhelming ground game for 2024 that once again delivered victories in close races, including reelecting every Democratic incumbent in our Congressional delegation and protecting large Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers.
Democrats reelected Senator Jacky Rosen to the United States Senate by more than 1.6% – a margin of nearly 24,000 votes – despite Donald Trump carrying the state by three points. Nevada was one of just three battleground states where Democrats retained every incumbent U.S. House seat, increasing margins of victory in two of three races from 2022. Democrats also defended majorities in the state legislature that are just one seat shy of a supermajority in both chambers.
Through year-round organizing, a relentless field program, an expansive voter protection team, and a historic ballot curing program that began before Election Day, NV Dems helped deliver key wins in tight races that could have flipped to Republicans without our superior political infrastructure.
NV Dems Created A Ground Game That Swept Down Ballot Races
In March 2023, NV Dems started the work to rebuild the state party as the central hub for Democratic organizing in the state, regaining the trust of stakeholders, donors, and elected officials. Early investment in our turnout program allowed Democrats to start making phone calls, knocking doors, and dropping literature earlier than ever.
This cycle, NV Dems’ Coordinated Campaign:
- Recruited more than 34,000 volunteers
- Knocked more than 2.5 million doors
- Made more than 25.5 million calls
- Sent nearly 8.5 million text messages
- Opened 14 field offices statewide in key communities, including offices in the heart of Latino, Black, AAPI and Indigenous communities
Strong Voter Education Programs Encouraged Historic Voter Turnout
In 2021, Democrats made universal mail voting a permanent option which includes ensuring all active registered voters receive a mail-in ballot for each election. Nevada also implemented automatic voter registration at the DMV and additional state agencies after a ballot initiative was approved by voters in 2018.
NV Dems launched a robust voter education program to ensure every eligible Nevadan knew how to make their voice heard at the ballot box. NV Dems created bilingual voter education websites as a resource for voters with key dates, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about each voting option. The state party also mailed reminders to registered voters encouraging them to update their signatures on file with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office.
Nevada Democrats offered a 24/7 voter assistance hotline to answer voters’ questions in English and Spanish and help resolve any voting issues in real time. Across the final few months, the voter protection team responded to thousands of calls from Nevadans.
With Races Decided by Slim Margins, NV Dems Ran Massive Ballot Cure Program
Protecting every vote meant ensuring every vote was counted. As soon as mail voting began, NV Dems called, texted and knocked on the doors of Nevadans whose ballot had been rejected to help facilitate the cure process.
Beginning in October and until the ballot cure deadline, NV Dems:
- Recruited more than 4,500 ballot cure volunteers
- Made nearly 143,000 calls to Nevadans in need of ballot curing
- Knocked more than 31,500 doors
- Sent more than 24,000 ballot cure texts
- Cured more than 11,200 ballots
Democrats Ready to Keep Moving Forward and Deliver Wins in 2026 and 2028
Now, Democrats in Nevada will be laser-focused on the 2025 legislative session and the 2026 election cycle. Our top priority will be holding Republican elected officials and candidates accountable if they enable Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda.
We will also look ahead and begin preparing the infrastructure to win in 2028, including defending Nevada’s status as an early presidential primary. We are the most diverse and most competitive battleground state in the early nominating calendar. To win nationwide, Democrats need to understand what it takes to earn support from the working class voters who dominate our electorate.
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