Early returns from Tuesday's election show Nevada Democrats leading in 33 of 42 Assembly races and seven of 11 contested Senate seats, putting the party on track to keep its majorities in both legislative chambers. All 42 Assembly seats and 11 of 21 Senate seats were on the ballot this cycle.
The results position Democrats to potentially secure a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly, which requires 28 seats. However, Tuesday night tallies suggest the party will fall one seat short of the 14 needed for a supermajority in the Senate.
The balance of power carries significant implications for the next four years. A simple Democratic majority would likely mean continued gridlock with Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, similar to the past four years where the governor vetoed Democratic bills and Democrats blocked Republican proposals.
A supermajority in both chambers would theoretically allow Democrats to override gubernatorial vetoes and pass tax legislation without the governor's input. The outcome also affects the attorney general's office, as a Democratic supermajority would render any vetoes by Attorney General Aaron Ford defenseless if he wins the governor's race.
Democrats also held early leads in all four congressional races, including the Republican-leaning 2nd District. Meanwhile, some Clark County voters reported waiting two to three hours to cast ballots, with officials attributing delays to high turnout and changes to the voting process.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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