Ballot Battleground: Nevada

Inside the poll: Early numbers show dead heat in Nevada governor's race with Noble Predictive Insights

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:00 -0000

Nevada’s 2026 governor’s race is already shaping up to be a nail-biter. A new poll shows Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo essentially tied with the likely frontrunner, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford.

Of course, a sizable share of undecided voters will be the deciding factor in the general election.

On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott goes inside the numbers with Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive Insights, to break down what this early polling tells us—and what it doesn’t.

Plus, a look at key down-ballot races and where voters stand on major ballot questions, including abortion rights and voter ID.

NVGOV: Lombardo Keeps Pace with Ford as Undecideds Hold the Balance

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Mail time! Answering your biggest Nevada primary election questions with Chris Murphy

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:50:00 -0000

There are less than 60 days until primary election day 2026, and Ballot Battleground: Nevada is shifting into full-on election mode.

This episode, we're diving into the mailbag to answer listeners' burning questions about the primary with News 4 Reno/Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy.

Can you vote in both partisan primaries? Why do we need new ballot marking devices? Why haven't we interviewed candidates yet? And why isn't Election Day on the weekend?

Host Ben Margiott and Murphy answer all those questions and more on an all-new show. Why Americans vote on a Tuesday in November

Proposed amendment to restore full gambling loss deduction falls short in Congress

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Should ‘late-arriving’ mail ballots count? How SCOTUS case could affect Nevada

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:30:00 -0000

In Nevada, elections are often decided by razor-thin margins — and a small batch of ballots can make all the difference.

In 2022, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto won by fewer than 8,000 votes, overtaking Republican Adam Laxalt days after Election Night as mail ballots continued to be counted, including some that arrived after Election Day.

Now, that narrow window is at the center of a major U.S. Supreme Court case that could reshape how ballots are counted in Nevada and beyond.

This week, we hear both sides of the debate: Democratic election attorney Bradley Schrager explains why he thinks Nevada’s system works, and RNC Election Integrity Communications Director Ally Triolo outlines why Republicans are challenging it.

Note: This episode was recorded before President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order that aims to create a national list of verified eligible voters.

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Could Nevada’s deep red CD2 actually flip blue? Talking top candidates with UNR political science professor Jeremy Gelman

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:44:00 -0000

The field is set. 27 candidates — the most ever by far — filed to run for Nevada’s 2nd congressional district after the sudden retirement announcement from Republican Rep. Mark Amodei.

With no incumbent running and a potentially bluer national landscape, some political insiders believe a Democrat could flip the seat for the first time ever. Is that a reality? Who are the top contenders on both sides?

This week on the Ballot Battleground: Nevada podcast, host Ben Margiott speaks with UNR political science professor Jeremy Gelman about the partisan makeup of CD2, its deep red history, the possibility of a flip and the type of candidate who might have a realistic shot.

Full list of candidates for Nevada's Congressional District 2, other key races

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Ballot printers, voter ID and the future of voting in Nevada with election chief Cisco Aguilar

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:40:00 -0000

Candidate filing has begun, mock elections are happening and officials are testing new ballot marking devices — the 2026 midterm election cycle is officially here.

This week on the Ballot Battleground: Nevada podcast, host Ben Margiott interviews Nevada's elections chief, Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar.

Ben and Sec. Aguilar discuss Nevada's new ballot marking devices, voter ID proposals at the state and federal level, whether Election Day should be a holiday, how Nevadans could vote in the future and much more.

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The making of Harry Reid’s machine — and the wide-open CD2 race with Jon Ralston

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:50:00 -0000

Harry Reid was the most powerful politician Nevada has ever produced — and the machine he built still shapes state politics today.

This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, The Nevada Independent CEO and veteran journalist Jon Ralston joins host Ben Margiott to discuss his new book, The Game Changer, and what it reveals about Reid’s rise from Searchlight to Senate Majority Leader — and how he rewrote the political playbook for Democrats.

Then we turn to the present: the wide-open race for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District following Rep. Mark Amodei’s surprise retirement. Who’s in, who’s out, who could jump in — and do Democrats actually have a shot at flipping CD2?

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Why Nevada wants to be 1st in 2028 — Artie Blanco on Nevada's case to lead the Presidential nominating calendar

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0000

Nevada has already climbed the Presidential primary calendar, establishing itself in the slate of early states that vote prior to Super Tuesday.

But now Democratic party leaders want to move up to first in the nation, with the Nevada Dems officially submitting their bid to the DNC last month.

Why is Nevada deserving of the coveted top spot?

In the first episode of season 3 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott speaks to DNC Vice Chair Artie Blanco about Nevada’s bid to become the first Democratic presidential contest in 2028.

We unpack how the DNC sets the calendar, why Nevada’s diversity and battleground status matter, and what lessons were learned from the 2024 primary shake-up.

Plus, what a “Nevada first” calendar could mean for voters, campaigns, and national policy priorities.

WATCH Ballot Battleground: Nevada on YouTube

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Ballot Battleground: Nevada Season 3 Trailer

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:14:00 -0000

Ballot Battleground: Nevada is back for Season 3.

2026 is an election year — and here in Nevada, the stakes are high. From Congressional races and a crucial Governor’s race to state and local contests and major ballot questions, we’re covering it all.

I’m Ben Margiott, a reporter at News 4 Reno and Fox 11, and I'm passionate about breaking down Nevada politics to make it more accessible, more digestible, and more relevant for voters across our critical battleground state.

Season 3 kicks off February 4, with new episodes every other Wednesday to start — and weekly episodes as Election Day approaches.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And new this season, you can watch full episodes on YouTube on the News 4 Reno page.

Subscribe, follow, and get ready for the 2026 election season.

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Dramatic Nevada special session ends with film tax failure, crime bill passage — with reporters Paul Boger, Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:09:00 -0000

After 7 days, Nevada lawmakers adjourned the state’s 36th special legislative session sine die late Wednesday.

The week was packed with unexpected surprises, important policy debates, long lulls in the action and criticism about the lack of transparency.

From a rare procedural move that nearly derailed film tax credits on day 1 to lawmakers adding their own bill to the agenda for the first time ever, it was a dramatic special session - which could have major implications for 2026.

This episode, host Ben Margiott breaks down everything that happened — floor debates, committee hearings, and behind-the-scenes negotiations — with the reporters who were there every day: Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren of The Nevada Independent and Paul Boger of KNPR.

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Washoe County election chief Andrew McDonald on turnover, voter rolls and … paper ballots?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:30:00 -0000

In the 2026 midterms, Washoe County will — once again — have someone new running its elections.

Andrew McDonald is the county’s new registrar of voters — the 4th person to hold that job since 2022.

But McDonald says he’s in it for the long haul and he's got some big goals: moving the registrar’s office to a bigger location, continuing to clean up the voter rolls, and bringing in new voting machines that leave a paper record for every ballot cast in person.

In Nevada election quirk, high card draw breaks tie in rural Washoe County trustee contest

RGJ: Election security: Pilot program will focus on voter rolls | Clara Andriola

Critic of Washoe election integrity turns to praise with new voter roll challenge

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Taxes, John Doe, special session cost and cereal: Answering your listener questions with Chris Murphy

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:20:00 -0000

It's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. This week, we're digging through the listener mailbag once again with News 4 and Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy.

Host Ben Margiott and Chris answer questions ranging from tax reform and John Doe's identity to open primaries and the cost of a special legislative session.

Do you have questions for our next mailbag? Send them to bjmargiott@sbgtv.com and put Ballot Battleground: Nevada in the subject line.

Does Nevada need property tax reform? Legislative push renewed amid budget shortfalls

Bonus episode: Rep. Mark Amodei on the federal government shutdown

Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei on tariffs, Signalgate, DOGE, immigration and more
How much will Lombardo's special session of Nevada Legislature cost? Here's what we found

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Should Nevada reel in Hollywood? Film tax credits to be discussed in special session

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:51:00 -0000

Legislators will be headed back to Carson City this fall for another special session of the Nevada legislature — the sixth since 2020.

Governor Joe Lombardo announced he wants them to finish some 'unfinished business' in the next few months.

So when exactly will that be? What still needs to get done? And why have there been so many special sessions lately? One of the biggest issues likely to come up is whether Nevada should offer new tax credits to attract the film industry to Las Vegas, so we figured we'd bring in two southern Nevada journalists. Host Ben Margiott chats with McKenna Ross, politics and government reporter with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Steve Sebelius, senior political reporter with KTNV Channel 13.

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Bonus episode: Rep. Mark Amodei on the federal government shutdown

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:59:00 -0000

It's day 10 of the federal government shutdown and it seems Congress is no closer to an agreement to reopen the government.

Amid the partisan standoff, we got the chance to sit down with Northern Nevada's representative in the U.S. House, Republican Mark Amodei.

In this bonus episode, we asked Amodei why he opposes extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies, whether he supports the effort to ensure military members are paid and whether he would call out GOP leaders for continuing to use talking points about illegal immigrants deemed 'highly misleading.'

GOP misleads with claim that Democrats shut down to give health care to 'illegal immigrants'

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Why Nevada is refusing to hand over voter data with Sec. of State Cisco Aguilar

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:30:00 -0000

In August, Nevada government agencies were hit with a crippling ransomware attack. Thankfully, Nevada’s election infrastructure wasn’t affected.

But against that backdrop — and with concern over Nevadans’ personal information still fresh — the Department of Justice is now requesting driver’s license records and partial Social Security numbers for every registered voter in the state.

Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins this week to discuss how Nevada’s election systems held up during the cyberattack, why he won’t release voter data to the Trump administration and a first look at initiatives that could appear on Nevada’s 2026 ballot.

Nevada Secretary of State concerned about DOJ requests for voter data

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Mass deportations in Nevada: Both sides of the debate - part 2

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:30:00 -0000

ICE arrests are surging in Nevada as the Trump administration moves forward with its mass deportation agenda promised in the campaign.

In this episode, we go beyond the headlines to hear from both sides of the immigration debate.

First, Athar Haseebullah of the ACLU of Nevada explains why his organization is fighting back against what it sees as government overreach.

Then, Bruce Parks, chair of the Washoe County Republican Party, makes the case for why he supports mass deportations.

Inside ICE arrests in Nevada — Part 1

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Inside ICE arrests in Nevada — Part 1

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 22:45:00 -0000

President Trump’s second term has put mass deportations back at the center of U.S. politics — and Nevada offers a revealing look at what that means on the ground.

In part 1 of our two-part series, host Ben Margiott talks to reporter Kim Burrows, who witnessed several ICE arrests during an exclusive ridealong in May.

Then, we turn to The Nevada Independent’s Eric Neugeboren and Isabella Aldrete, who crunched the numbers to answer a pressing question: Who is ICE actually arresting in Nevada — violent criminals, or people whose only offense is crossing the border illegally? Analysis: ICE arrests are surging in Nevada — including of people with no criminal record

ICE arrests multiple people with alleged criminal pasts during northern Nevada operation

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From Reid to Sandoval: Nevada author Pat Hickey’s portraits of power

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:30:00 -0000

The Silver State is home to some of the most interesting characters - political and otherwise.

Former Assemblyman, journalist and columnist Pat Hickey recently released Here and Hereafter: Nevada Voices on Life and the Great Beyond.

The book includes inspiring, intimate portraits of power of some of the most famous, infamous and influential Nevadans of the 21st century. Host Ben Margiott interviews Hickey about his extended interviews with notable Nevadans like Harry Reid, Brian Sandoval, Mike Tyson, Barbara Cegavske and dozens more.

Buy the book here: https://pathickey.net/here-and-hereafter/

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Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto on Medicaid, tourism, the Epstein files and Gaza

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:25:00 -0000

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) is becoming a more prominent figure in the Democratic party as it tries to find the most effective way to push back against the second Trump administration.

The tension between working across the aisle to make progress and resisting took center stage last week during a dustup between Cortez Masto and fellow Democratic Sen. Cory Booker.

In an extended interview, host Ben Margiott asks Cortez Masto about that intraparty disagreement, Medicaid cuts, the effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill, No Tax on Tips, Las Vegas tourism, the Epstein files, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and more.

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How will the 2026 elections be different in Nevada? With All Voting is Local’s Kerry Durmick

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 22:24:00 -0000

How will the 2026 elections be different because of the 2025 legislature?

After sweeping changes in the last 5 years, Nevada lawmakers didn't make any wholesale changes to how we vote.

But they did tweak certain laws regarding AI in campaign materials, sample ballot deadlines and language access.

Host Ben Margiott interviews Kerry Durmick, the Nevada state director of All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan voting rights advocacy group.

Ben and Kerry discuss what changed, what didn't and the controversial proposal that will be on your ballot in 2026.

Voter ID - a critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide

Should recounts be automatic in close Nevada elections?

Drag Queen Devon. Death Smith. Veto Villain — nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now (pt. 1) with Beth Smith and Dr. Amy Pason

Nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now - how the Dignity Index ranks them (pt. 2) with Andre Wade and Dr. Amy Pason

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How will the One Big Beautiful Bill affect Nevada? A closer look at Medicaid and SNAP cuts

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:53:00 -0000

President Donald Trump's signature economic package, the One Big Beautiful Bill, is now the law of the land. It extends the Trump tax cuts, ends the tax on tips and boosts border security spending, among other GOP priorities.

But it also makes drastic cuts to social safety net programs, including Medicaid and food assistance.

How will these cuts affect Nevadans? How will our community health centers and food banks be impacted?

This week, host Ben Margiott interviews Mandi Larsen, the chief development officer for Northern Nevada HOPES and Jocelyn Lantrip, the marketing director for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

'Very alarming:' 114k Nevadans could lose health care in Pres. Trump's 'beautiful bill' Proposed cuts to SNAP benefits set to burden local food banks Nevada congresswoman introduces bill to restore full gambling loss deductions ⁠Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for Best Local Podcast

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‘No Tax on Tips’ effort is gaining momentum in Congress. It’s great politics, but is it good policy? With Culinary Union Local 226

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:08:00 -0000

It was a simple campaign promise to put money back in people's wallets during a Presidential election centered on the economy.

'No Tax on Tips' resonated with voters across the country but especially in Nevada, which has the highest percentage of tipped workers.

That campaign promise, first raised by President Donald Trump, has not fallen by the wayside. Multiple proposals are actively being debated in Congress.

Before it comes up for final consideration - we wanted to take a deep dive on ‘No Tax on Tips.’ How would it work? Who would it help? And would it be unfair to others?

This week, host Ben Margiott interviews two people with Culinary Union Local 226, the most influential union in the Silver State.

Ted Pappageorge, the union's Secretary-Treasurer and Sebastian Espinoza, a longtime union member and busser at Caesars Palace join for a 'No Tax on Tips' conversation.

It’s clear 'No Tax on Tips' is great politics - but will it be good policy?

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for Best Local Podcast

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What happened in chaotic ending to Nevada legislature? Recapping the 2025 session with reporter Sophie Lincoln and analyst Fred Lokken

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 22:28:00 -0000

Late nights, filibusters and political gamesmanship. The end of the 2025 session of the Nevada legislature had all the usual shenanigans we’ve come to expect as sine die approaches in Carson City.

On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, what happened? Which bills lived and died? And what does it all mean moving forward?

We’ll hone in on the final chaotic hours with KRNV/KRXI reporter Sophie Lincoln who was our boots on the ground for day 120. Plus, we examine the bigger picture (and what it could mean for 2026) with TMCC political science professor Fred Lokken.

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Education funding, film tax credits, nonpartisans and vetoes: The biggest questions as the Nevada legislature winds down with reporters Tabitha Mueller and Paul Boger

Wed, 28 May 2025 15:00:00 -0000

It is crunch time in Carson City — less than a week remains in the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature. Major policy proposals, big budget questions and the endgame are all still up in the air.

Will education get a funding increase this year? Is there room for state workers to get raises? What about tax credits for movie companies? Will Governor Lombardo’s major pieces of legislation make it through and how many bills will he veto?

This week, it's a reporter roundtable with two of the must plugged-in journalists in the building. Host Ben Margiott chats with Tabitha Mueller of The Nevada Independent and Paul Boger of Nevada Public Radio.

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Mail time! Answering listener questions on public lands, no tax on tips, GSR arena and 2026 midterms with Chris Murphy

Wed, 14 May 2025 22:38:00 -0000

It's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. This week, we're digging through the listener mailbag for the first time in 2025 with News 4 and Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy.

Ben and Chris answer questions ranging from public lands bills and no tax on tips to special sessions at the Nevada legislature and yes - the 2026 midterms.

Not to mention the GSR arena, jackpot thresholds and which Aces team is more likely to win the championship this season.

Do you have questions for our next mailbag? Send them to bjmargiott@sbgtv.com and put Ballot Battleground: Nevada in the subject line.

Sen. Jacky Rosen on tariffs, deportations, voter ID and federal lands bills

Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei on tariffs, Signalgate, DOGE, immigration and more

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Is Nevada in a budget shortfall? With top state lawmakers Steve Yeager and Robin Titus

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:15:00 -0000

It's almost time to get down to brass tax in Carson City as we're a little over two-thirds of the way through the 83rd legislative session.

The massive list of bills has been whittled down somewhat, but perhaps more important than what legislation gets passed is passing a balanced budget.

With revenues lagging behind expectations, it seems Nevada may be in a budget crunch this session. How bad is it? How do both sides want to weather the storm?

This week, host Ben Margiott talks about the budget crunch with top state lawmakers from both parties — Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D) and Senate minority leader Robin Titus (R).

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Sen. Jacky Rosen on tariffs, deportations, voter ID and federal lands bills

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:02:00 -0000

Jacky Rosen is back in the U.S. Senate for a second term representing the Silver State - after she barely hung on to her seat amid the red wave.

Democrats are in the minority in both the Senate and House, but Senator Rosen says they’re finding their footing when it comes to pushing back on tariffs, deportations, DOGE and more.

This episode, host Ben Margiott sits down with Senator Rosen for an extended one-on-one conversation on all of that - not to mention her opinion of a new voter ID proposal, the criticism of her Washoe County lands bill and how her first job as a cocktail waitress on the Vegas Strip informs her work in Congress.

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Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei on tariffs, Signalgate, DOGE, immigration and more

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:46:00 -0000

Longtime northern Nevada Representative Mark Amodei, fresh off his 2024 re-election, is now part of the GOP's slim House majority in President Donald Trump's second term.

It's been a busy start, from the back-and-forth over enacting tariffs, DOGE cuts, deportations, Medicaid, the Signal group chat controversy and much more.

Where does Amodei stand on these issues? This week, host Ben Margiott sits down with him for a one-on-one interview you will only hear on Ballot Battleground: Nevada.

In a wide-ranging interview, Ben asks for Amodei's positions on a number of major issues affecting Nevadans - and gets some news about 2026 at the very end.

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Are Nevada leaders doing enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? With the Guinn Center

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:27:00 -0000

A fast-growing state, lagging incomes and a limited supply of developable land created an affordable housing crisis in Nevada before the pandemic hit. Supply chain constraints and construction costs experienced during COVID-19 only exacerbated the issue.

In the pandemic's wake, have our elected leaders done enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? What's it going to take to put Nevada on a sustainable path to boost housing supply into the foreseeable future? And are our leaders pushing the right buttons or advancing limited solutions?

The nonpartisan Guinn Center recently released the report on housing affordability in Nevada. This episode, the center's executive director Jill Tolles and one of the authors Dr. Nic Irwin join host Ben Margiott to take a deep dive on housing affordability in the Silver State.

Full report: Housing Affordability in Nevada: An Economic Analysis and Policy Considerations

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Uprise Fiber internet scandal - where is the $9 million? With News 4 evening anchor Joe Hart

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:00:00 -0000

Residents of a small Nevada town were promised high-speed fiber internet from Reno-based Uprise Fiber. Nearly 3 years later, there is no progress whatsoever and $9 million allocated to the project by the state is missing. Now, investigations have been launched and the story has shifted to the Nevada legislature. The story may not have been uncovered and certainly would not have received the amount of attention it has if not for the dogged efforts of KRNV News 4 evening anchor and investigative reporter Joe Hart. This episode, host Ben Margiott and Joe walk listeners through the Uprise Fiber scandal from the start. How did this happen? Who is to blame? Are the people responsible being held accountable? And how can the state put in safeguards to prevent this from happening again?

Uprise owner resigns from family business amid News 4 investigation into missing funds

Probe launched as $9.1M Lovelock internet plan unravels, raising accountability worries

Nevada senator raises alarm over missing $9 million in fiber optic project

'We're done,' staffer abruptly ends interview with News 4 over failed fiber optic project

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Eggs, Daylight Saving Time and Medicaid: What’s happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislative session?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:18:00 -0000

What's happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislature? From a fast-tracked egg prices bill and ending Daylight Saving Time to possible Medicaid cuts, there's been a flurry of activity recently after a few slow weeks to start. One month in, we thought it would be a great time to check in on the biggest debates of the 83rd session with two of the best legislative reporters.

The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller and Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger join host Ben Margiott for another remote podcast inside the legislative building in Carson City to get you up to speed on the first month of #nvleg.

Don't know how the Nevada legislature works? Listen to our last episode: Nevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will Adler

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Nevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will Adler

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:40:00 -0000

The clock is ticking at the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature, which kicked off last week in Carson City. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the session, we wanted to start with an approachable, easy-to-understand primer for people who are brand new to #nvleg. How does our unusual citizen legislature work? How does a bill become a law? And how does the building really operate?

Veteran lobbyist Will Adler, principal of Silver State Government Relations, joins host Ben Margiott for a laid-back Silver State civics class. Ben and Will explain the ins and outs of the Nevada legislature in simple terms for people who are interested in following the process for the first time.

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Gov. Joe Lombardo's former chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer on his second State of the State speech

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 22:15:44 -0000

Welcome back to season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada! We'll kick off season 2 with a deep dive on the first major political event of the odd years in Nevada politics - the Governor's State of the State address.

That speech sets the stage for what's to come in the upcoming legislative session. This week, we have the perfect guest to give us some insight - former Lombardo chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer.

Kieckhefer has worn many hats over his years in Nevada politics — Associated Press reporter, Reno-area Senator and Nevada Gaming Commission member, just to name a few.

This week, Ben joins host Ben Margiott to chat about what the governor hoped to accomplish in his State of the State address, his 2025 legislative priorities, the structural budget errors and Lombardo's governing strategy.

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Ballot Battleground: Nevada Season 2 Trailer

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:30:00 -0000

We're back! Season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada returns on January 29 with a renewed focus on getting regular people more informed and involved in their government. With the 2024 election behind us, host Ben Margiott will now focus on how the newly elected officials are using their power. Will they fulfill the lofty promises made on the campaign trail? Or will they find those goals not feasible in reality? Will the policies they enact truly make Nevada a better place? Or could they backfire with unintended consequences?

Ben will interview the biggest lawmakers, advocates and power players of Nevada politics - as well as the voters that are affected by policies. Together, they'll examine and explain the Nevada legislature, federal policies, the practical effect of passed ballot measures and yes — eventually the 2026 midterms.

New episodes will drop every other Wednesday - starting January 29.

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Election results certified, AG Aaron Ford on the incoming Trump administration and the continued push for open primaries in Nevada

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:38:06 -0000

All 17 of Nevada's counties have certified the results of the 2024 election, bringing this unprecedented cycle officially to a close. This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott recaps the dramatic canvass meeting in Washoe County and looks ahead to 2025.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joins to explain how his office intends to stand up to efforts to infringe on Nevadans' rights and be a 'bulwark' against the incoming Trump administration.

Plus, Vote Nevada executive director Sondra Cosgrove - a big supporter of open primaries and ranked choice voting - says the fight for open primaries is not over even after statewide ballot Question 3 failed.

Programming note: This was the final episode of season 1 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada. We will be taking a holiday hiatus and returning with all-new episodes in early 2025.

Advocates continue push for open primaries in Nevada after Question 3 defeated

Top Nevada Democrat says he won't introduce open primary bill despite advocate push

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Top 2024 election takeaways: Early voting matters, coattails, Reid Machine, ballot deadlines and much more with reporters Tabitha Mueller and Lucia Starbuck

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0000

What really happened in the 2024 election is now coming into focus with all the results now in. What are the biggest takeaways? What lessons did we learn about the electorate? What will candidates and campaigns take away and use in future elections? Tabitha Mueller, reporter with The Nevada Independent, and Lucia Starbuck, KUNR political reporter, join host Ben Margiott to talk takeaways. The three chatted about the importance of early voting, the Reid Machine's strength, the changing Clark County, how Nevadan you are, ballot deadlines, election denialism and much more.

Nevada state election results

Northern Nevada local election results

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Election Day recap: Nevada turns red for first presidential election in 20 years, Senate race too close to call

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 22:38:00 -0000

For the first time since 2004, a Republican presidential candidate won the Silver State. Former President Donald Trump won Nevada's 6 electoral votes, but how did he beat his 2016 and 2020 margins?

The Cook Political Report's Matthew Klein joins the podcast to explain the gains Trump made with key demographic groups to secure Nevada and the remaining 6 battleground states.

Plus, election night reporters Kim Burrows and Sophie Lincoln join to explain what it was like reporting from the county's mail ballot processing room and the UNR polling place, respectively.

And finally, an update on several key races and ballot measures we covered previously on Ballot Battleground: Nevada.

Nevada state election results

Northern Nevada local election results

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Can Dems close the gap in Nevada? Jon Ralston on the GOP’s early vote lead plus top Emerson College pollster and Kamala Harris in Reno

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:19:51 -0000

It's our last podcast before Election Day 2024! Vice President Kamala Harris makes her first Reno stop plus a quick update on the latest early voting numbers.

The Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston joins to chat about whether Democrats can still close the turnout gap in the Silver State and what's driving this unprecedented trend.

Emerson College's polling director Spencer Kimball chats about their latest survey plus the outside shot at former President Donald Trump winning the national popular vote.

Then, we interview both the Harris campaign's battleground states director Dan Kanninen and top RNC spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko on the campaigns' closing messages and reaction to the 'garbage' comments.

Early voting is underway. Here's where you can cast your ballot in Washoe County

Nevada 2024 election cycle - early voting sites and polling locations

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Trump and Harris tied in last NYT/Siena national poll, GOP out to early turnout lead in Nevada, Voice of the Voter and Vance visit

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:06:00 -0000

One week remains until Election Day 2024. The final NYT/Siena College national poll shows Trump and Harris deadlocked at 48-48. Siena College Research Institute director Dr. Don Levy joins to explain what that poll means, how it compares to their last head-to-head poll and how pollsters adjust for non-response bias.

We also recap Sen. JD Vance's second Reno rally, including our question on a hot-button issue.

Plus, a quick update on the trends we're noticing in early voting, our Voice of the Voter segments and the final fact-check segment, taking a closer look at two ads for and against Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown.

Early voting is underway. Here's where you can cast your ballot in Washoe County

Nevada 2024 election cycle - early voting sites and polling locations

Fact-checking commercials for and against Sam Brown on lowering prices, 'slush fund'

Fact-checking Nevada Senate campaign commercials on housing, COVID relief checks

Fact-checking Nevada Senate candidates Sam Brown, Jacky Rosen's campaign ads on abortion

Fact-checking commercials for and against Jacky Rosen on prescriptions, big pharma

Fact-checking commercials from Nevada Congressional candidates Mark Amodei and Greg Kidd

Fact-checking commercials for and against Question 3 on ranked choice voting in Nevada

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Early voting begins, Washoe GOP’s unproven claims, and polling on how Nevadans feel about the biggest issues of the 2024 election

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:18:00 -0000

Early voting has begun in the Silver State and already over 320,000 Nevadans have voted. This week, we have the sounds from the first days of early voting, a quick glance at early voting turnout numbers and an update on Washoe GOP's unproven claims of voting irregularities with the machines. Plus, host Ben Margiott interviews pollster Dr. Steven Kull, who has done 10 issue surveys in Nevada and several other swing states. How do Nevadans feel about the most critical election issues, including economic policies, immigration and border policy, reproductive rights and more? And do the results portend anything for the presidential race?

Early voting is underway. Here's where you can cast your ballot in Washoe County

Nevada 2024 election cycle - early voting sites and polling locations

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Amodei-Kidd candidate forum, mail ballots arriving, election updates and Trump's Reno rally

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:40:00 -0000

Mail ballots are arriving, early in-person voting starts this weekend and after months of campaigning, billions in spending and one of the craziest years in American politics ever, the 2024 general election is upon us. We start with a a quick recap of former President Trump's Reno rally and have several 2024 election updates, including a ballot error in Carson City, three voter roll lawsuits being withdrawn and tell you about Washoe County's new ballot sorter.

Then, Rep. Mark Amodei (R) and nonpartisan political newcomer Greg Kidd participate in a candidate forum as they vie for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. The forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters and moderated by KUNR's Lucia Starbuck, delved into voter ID, working across the aisle, housing affordability and much more. A special thanks to the League of Women Voters, KUNR and event sponsor the Nevada Appeal for putting on the forum and allowing us to bring part of it to you on Ballot Battleground: Nevada.

Nevada Appeal: 2024 Candidate Forum: US House of Representatives District 2, State Ballot Questions 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6

Washoe County unveils faster mail ballot sorter, new extractor machines ahead of election

Nevada voter roll lawsuits withdrawn, Secretary of State Aguilar calls it a victory

Carson City voters to receive corrected ballots after party affiliation error

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Debating Question 3: Open primaries and ranked choice voting - a Ballot Battleground: Nevada debate

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 23:30:00 -0000

It would be the most consequential change to Nevada's election laws in decades. Question 3 would put open primaries and ranked choice voting in the state constitution if it passes in November. News 4-Fox 11 hosted the first Ballot Battleground: Nevada debate featuring two guests from each side of this contentious initiative. This week, we bring you the entire debate with Molly Ellery and Mike Escobar representing the Yes on 3 campaign and Amber Falgout and Kerry Durmick with Battle Born Progress and All Voting Is Local Action, respectively. We asked about whether the measure is truly complicated, concerns about ballots being thrown out, why both reforms are wrapped into one measure, how it's been implemented in other states and much more.

How would open primaries and ranked choice voting work in Nevada? We ran a fruit election to see

How has ranked choice voting worked in Maine and Alaska?

How ranked choice voting effort started, a conservative perspective on Question 3 and Tim Walz rally

What is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn Center

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How ranked choice voting effort started, a conservative perspective on Question 3 and Tim Walz rally

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:53:00 -0000

Our Question 3 debate is less than a week away, but before we bring you that debate, we've got a few more perspectives on Nevada's open primaries and ranked choice voting initiative.

After a quick recap of Tim Walz's Reno rally, we interview Doug Goodman, founder of Nevadans for Election Reform and John Tsarpalas, president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute. Goodman gives the backstory on how the ranked choice effort started and makes his case for Q3. Tsarpalas' think tank is advocating against its passage from a conservative perspective.

Finally, we fact-check two campaign ads in the race for Nevada's 2nd Congressional district from incumbent Rep. Mark Amodei (R) and nonpartisan challenger Greg Kidd.

News 4-Fox 11 to host debate on Question 3, Nevada's ranked choice voting initiative

What is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn Center

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How has ranked choice voting worked in Maine and Alaska?

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:39:00 -0000

Nevadans will soon decide if the Silver State will become the 4th state to use ranked choice voting to pick its representatives. Before Nevadans decide on this revolutionary change, we're taking a closer look at how it’s worked in other states. Has it been smooth? Have there been hiccups? Has it taken longer to get results? And do people like it?

This week, you’ll hear from two veteran reporters who have covered the implementation of ranked choice voting in their state. We interviewed Gregg Lagerquist, Maine politics reporter at CBS 13 WGME and James Brooks, state reporter for The Alaska Beacon.

News 4-Fox 11 to host debate on Question 3, Nevada's ranked choice voting initiative

What is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn Center

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Big announcement, signature verification with the Nevada Secretary of State and more mailbag questions

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:26:00 -0000

It's a special episode this week as we can finally announce the first Ballot Battleground: Nevada debate! Our debate on Question 3, which would bring open primaries and ranked choice voting to the Silver State, will be airing on News 4 and Fox 11 on October 15th at 4:30 p.m. The debate will be an in-depth conversation about the possible benefits and pitfalls of this critical ballot measure featuring two guests from each side of the issue.

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain what the signature verification form is, why it's important and what you should do if you don't feel comfortable sending it back in the mail.

Then, we answer more listener questions with morning show anchor Chris Murphy. Will Nevada count ballots faster this year? Can a president remove the tax on tips without Congress? Who is behind Question 3? And much more.

Plus, another edition of our fact-checking segment. We take a deeper dive on two ads - one attacking Jacky Rosen and one from her campaign - regarding the prices of prescription drugs.

News 4-Fox 11 to host debate on Question 3, Nevada's ranked choice voting initiative

What is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn Center

Advocates push for permanent abortion protections in Nevada (from April)

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Walz visit and Democracy Defense Project feat. Brian Sandoval and Richard Perkins

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 19:20:00 -0000

A Republican and a Democrat — both well-respected in Nevada politics — are joining together to help rebuild faith in our elections through the Democracy Defense Project. This week, host Ben Margiott interviews the Nevada co-chairs, former Governor Brian Sandoval (R) and former Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins (D). Sandoval and Perkins explain what they hope to accomplish and why it's so difficult for some Republicans to admit the truth about the 2020 election. Plus, Gov. Tim Walz makes his first campaign stop in northern Nevada, though he cancelled a planned rally to focus on the Davis Fire. And finally, we fact-check two commercials about Question 3, the ballot measure that would bring ranked-choice voting and open primaries to the Silver State.

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Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto on Harris, no tax on tips, ranked-choice voting and more

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 19:19:00 -0000

It's a special first for Ballot Battleground: Nevada this week - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D) stops by the studio for an extended sit-down interview. Host Ben Margiott interviews the Silver State's senior senator on her work in the Senate, swapping out Biden for Harris, the no taxes on tips proposal, ranked-choice voting, the Washoe County lands bill and much more. Plus, at the end of the episode, it's another edition of our new segment fact-checking political commercials. This week, a closer examination of two ads related to housing in Nevada's hotly contested U.S. Senate race.

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Nevada is back in play with the Cook Political Report - plus our new fact-check segment

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:15:00 -0000

After the infamous Trump-Biden debate, it seemed Nevada might be out of reach for Democrats. But it's now back in play after the party switched out their struggling nominee for Kamala Harris. Jessica Taylor with the Cook Political Report, one of the nation's best election forecasters, joins to give her expert analysis on the state of play here in the Silver State. Plus, we launch a new fact-checking segment where we explain and provide context on campaign commercials, starting with a look at Sam Brown and Jacky Rosen's ads on abortion.

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Should diapers be exempt from sales tax? It’s Question 5 on the Nevada ballot

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Should diapers be exempted from Nevada's state sales tax like so many other essential items? Voters will get the chance to decide on Question 5 in November. There likely won't be much money spent on ads or opposition to this measure, but it's still worth explaining the benefits and possible drawbacks - including a loss of revenue for the state. This week, Baby's Bounty CEO and executive director Kelly Maxwell joins Ballot Battleground: Nevada to make the case for a sales tax exemption for child and adult diapers.

Previous episodes on Nevada's abortion amendment, which will be Question 6 on the November ballot:

Advocates push for permanent abortion protections in Nevada

Will abortion be on the ballot in November?

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Contenders or spoilers? How RFK Jr. and third parties could affect Nevada’s presidential race

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Independent presidential candidate RFK Jr. will be on Nevada's ballot in November after officially filing with the state this month. He's a longshot to win the White House, polling at around 5% currently. But is that enough to spoil the election for Harris or Trump? Or is the worry about a spoiler overblown? UNLV political science professor Dan Lee joins the podcast this week to talk about how third party and independent candidates have fared in Nevada history - and whether this cycle will be any different.

(Note: This episode was recorded on Monday, before a judge ruled the Green Party can be on the 2024 ballot)

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Cleaning up the voter rolls with Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:24:00 -0000

Clean up the voter rolls. The plea has become more common amid the baseless claims of widespread voter fraud - but nearly everyone agrees it's a good thing to keep the massive list of all registered Nevada voters as up to date as possible. Still, there are federal and state laws that make it difficult by design to remove someone from the rolls. With the primary well behind us now, voter roll list maintenance is well underway. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain why it's such a critical part of our electoral system and how Nevadans can help clean the voter rolls ahead of the general election. Plus, details on Aguilar's recent experience at the Taylor Swift concert in Munich, Germany.

Some Nevada voters now inactive after voter roll cleanup - here's what that means

Nevada sends postcards to 8% of voters to verify status before presidential election

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Vance visit and more mail — answering your listener questions with Chris Murphy

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:45:00 -0000

It's less than 100 days until the 2024 presidential election and the campaigns are ramping up in the Silver State. On this episode, host Ben Margiott takes you to Trump VP pick JD Vance's campaign rally in Reno, where he focused on immigration and hammered Kamala Harris for the Biden administration's border policies. Then, special guest Christ Murphy joins again to dig through the Ballot Battleground: Nevada mailbag. Ben and Chris talked about Project 2025, RFK Jr., voter ID, ballot questions, the way-too-early race for Reno mayor, the best sandwich in the Biggest Little City and much more.

What's Project 2025? Unpacking the Pro-Trump Plan to Overhaul US Government

Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen introduces bill to allow sale of federal lands in Washoe County

Nevada's top prosecutor seeks to uphold charges against fake electors

Voter ID - a critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide

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Biden bows out - what does it mean for Nevada? With Jon Ralston and Jeremy Gelman

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 22:12:05 -0000

Less than 4 months until Election Day, a sitting U.S. President who ran for re-election has stepped aside. Joe Biden's announcement over the weekend that he would no longer run for president upended the 2024 race. What does it mean for Nevada? What do our 49 Democratic delegates do now? What is the precedent for such a race-altering event this late in the campaign? On this emergency episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott interviews Jon Ralston, CEO of The Nevada Independent and UNR political science professor Jeremy Gelman to get their insight on Biden dropping out and Kamala Harris' viability as a candidate.

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Voter ID - a critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 19:45:00 -0000

Is requiring voter ID a critical safeguard that will improve voter confidence? Or an unnecessary burden that could depress turnout? Nevada voters could decide this November on a ballot measure requiring photo identification to cast a ballot. How would it work? What about people that don't have ID? Is this a solution in search of a problem? Host Ben Margiott interviews advocates on both sides of the issue - Dave Gibbs with the Repair the Vote PAC and Kerry Durmick with All Voting is Local Nevada.

Voter ID: Critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for best local podcast

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Should recounts be automatic in close Nevada elections?

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:45:00 -0000

Should Nevada automatically recount results in close races? Or continue to make the candidates pay regardless of the margin? What about 'frivolous' recounts requested in races where the outcome will almost certainly never change? The debate over recount policy in the Silver State has reignited after multiple recounts in Washoe County after the primary. This week, host Ben Margiott interviews Deb Otis with FairVote, a nonpartisan policy group advocating for various electoral reforms. Ben and Deb chat about the history of recounts in statewide elections since 2000, how often they change outcomes and balancing the need for recounts in tight races against the burden they put on election administrators.

An analysis of statewide election recounts, 2000-2023 - FairVote

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for best local podcast

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Nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now - how the Dignity Index ranks them (pt. 2) with Andre Wade and Dr. Amy Pason

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 19:45:00 -0000

Drag Queen Devon. Beth "Death" Smith. Veto Villain. The list of nasty and personal attacks, many of them launched by right-wing activist Robert Beadles, goes on and on. What does it do to the people who are targeted? Why are some taking this tactic, even though it's been largely unsuccessful? Where should we draw the line? In this two-part series, host Ben Margiott interviews candidates, activists and experts about the increasingly nasty political rhetoric and what can be done about it.

In episode 2, Andre Wade with Silver State Equality on the toll such attacks take on marginalized communities. Plus, we continue our conversation with Dr. Amy Pason about the Dignity Index, why it matters and how she would rank some attacks we've mentioned on that objective scale.

The Dignity Index

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for best local podcast

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Drag Queen Devon. Death Smith. Veto Villain — nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now (pt. 1) with Beth Smith and Dr. Amy Pason

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:45:00 -0000

In episode 1, Beth Smith opens up about threats to her family's safety after ads attacked her for her cancer diagnosis. Plus, part 1 of our conversation with UNR's Dr. Amy Pason about the history and effectiveness of this kind of messaging.

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for best local podcast

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What did we learn from the Nevada primary? Top takeaways with reporters Gabe Stern and Tabitha Mueller

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:40:00 -0000

The dust has settled from the Nevada primary and the general election matchups are coming into focus. What did we learn from the messy GOP primary? What can we glean from the results of down ballot races? And what about that low turnout? Host Ben Margiott holds a reporter roundtable with the Associated Press' Gabe Stern and The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller. What are the top takeaways from the June election? The group chats about Jeff Gunter refusing to endorse Sam Brown, Robert Beadles' rough night, Gov. Lombardo's influence, Election Day traditions and more.

Gunter refuses to back Brown after GOP primary, predicts Rosen win in Nevada

Washoe commissioner Andriola wins over far-right challenger in key Nevada county race

Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for best local podcast

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Primary recap! Brown vs. Rosen matchup set, why I'm a 'sham journalist,' and Election Night wrap-up with reporters Kim Burrows and Audrey Mayer

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:08:00 -0000

The voters have spoken in the Nevada primaries and the matchup that could decide control of the U.S. Senate is set. It's officially Republican Sam Brown vs. Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen in November. This week, we have a jam-packed Election Day recap - host Ben Margiott takes you out to the polls, to the registrar's office and to the big watch party in downtown Reno. Plus, why did a question we asked spark outrage on the right and prompt one candidate to label me a 'sham journalist'? And finally, an Election Night wrap-up with analysis and perspective from News 4 reporters Kim Burrows and Audrey Mayer.

Decision 2024: Real-time Nevada election results for June primary

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Vote vote vote! Nevada primary election in full swing

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:21:00 -0000

The 2024 primary election is in full swing with hundreds of polling places open across the Silver State for early voting. Most people though are taking advantage of the convenient mail ballot and sending it in that way. Host Ben Margiott visits one polling place in Reno and has an update on turnout so far. Plus, Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess on the smooth in-person voting and how her office addressed a series of ballot errors. And Jennifer Willett with All Voting is Local joins to talk about her group's efforts to expand voting access including into jails.

Know Your Candidates 2024

Everything you need to know about early voting in Washoe County

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Early voting begins and Nevada’s changing electorate with UNR Prof. Jeremy Gelman

Wed, 29 May 2024 19:30:00 -0000

It is week 1 of early voting in Nevada's primary election as hundreds of thousands of voters get ready to whittle down the massive list of candidates for the November general election. We break down turnout so far and explain how most Nevadans are still choosing to vote by mail. Plus, host Ben Margiott has an extended conversation with UNR political science Jeremy Gelman about the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, other races he's watching closely and Nevada's changing electorate. How have Nevada’s demographics shifted in recent years? Does that mirror national trends? And what does that mean for November?

Know Your Candidates 2024 page

FiveThirtyEight Swing-O-Matic interactive

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Bonus! Meet the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate (part 2)

Tue, 28 May 2024 17:05:00 -0000

It's a crowded field of Republican candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Nevada - 12 candidates filed for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in November. If you listened to episode 15, you heard from 3 of the top 4 frontrunners - the one exception being Sam Brown, who canceled his interview and never rescheduled. On this bonus episode, host Ben Margiott interviews the remaining candidates that were willing to interview with us: Bill Conrad, E.T. Hamilton, Garn Mabey, Ronda Kennedy, Stephanie Phillips and Vincent Rego.

Skip to the following times to hear from a specific candidate:

Bill Conrad 1:32

E.T. Hamilton 8:50

Garn Mabey 17:40

Ronda Kennedy 24:25

Stephanie Phillips 32:45

Vincent Rego 44:30

Note: Barry Lindemann did not show up for his interview time and Gary Marinch never replied to multiple emails seeking an interview.

Know Your Candidates 2024 page

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It's primary time! How to participate plus how voter fraud complaints are investigated with Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar

Wed, 22 May 2024 19:45:00 -0000

Primary Election Day is less than 3 weeks away in Nevada. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins the show to talk when and how to vote, how to register to vote or change your party affiliation and everything else you need to know before casting your ballot. Plus, a deep-dive on how the Secretary of State's office receives and investigates complaints of voter fraud. Spoiler alert: the number of complaints represents a tiny fraction of the over 1 million votes cast in 2022 - and many are resolved with no criminal action.

Read the full report here: 2024 Election Investigations Report Q1

Know Your Candidates 2024 page

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Meet the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate (part 1)

Wed, 15 May 2024 19:37:00 -0000

It's a crowded field of Republican candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Nevada - 12 candidates filed for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in November.

This week, we start our Know Your Candidates 2024 series by introducing you to the 3 GOP candidates that, according to a recent internal poll, have the best shot at upsetting Sam Brown, the wounded warrior widely considered to be the frontrunner.

(Brown initially signed up for an interview slot but canceled, citing a scheduling conflict. His team did not respond when we offered three other time slots on a different day.)

Host Ben Margiott interviews Jim Marchant, Tony Grady and Jeff Gunter about Yucca Mountain, abortion, the Trump hush money trial and more. In fairness to all candidates, we asked a series of similar questions. Stay tuned for extended interviews with several other candidates in the Republican primary in the coming weeks.

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Mail time! Answering listener questions with special guest Chris Murphy

Wed, 01 May 2024 20:18:00 -0000

It's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. We put out a call for listener questions recently and received plenty. News 4-Fox 11 morning show anchor and political expert Chris Murphy joins this week to go through the mailbag with host Ben Margiott. They answered questions about a nonpartisan running in Congressional District 2, Yucca Mountain, abortion on the ballot, whether campaign signs work and much more.

Submit your questions for future mailbag episodes by emailing bjmargiott@sbgtv.com or by tagging Ben on social media.

LA Times story on Yucca Mountain: Nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain could roil Nevada U.S. Senate race

Search Engine podcast on campaign signs: Do political yard signs actually do anything?

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Advocates push for permanent abortion protections in Nevada

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:30:00 -0000

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there's been a state-by-state patchwork of differing abortion laws across the country. In Nevada, abortion is protected up to 24 weeks in state law after a 1990 referendum. But advocates want to make that protection even stronger by adding abortion rights to the Nevada Constitution. It appears their ballot question to enshrine that right is headed for the November ballot. Denise Lopez, director of Nevada campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All, joins to explain the abortion landscape in the Silver State, why she feels a Constitutional amendment is necessary and answer a number of criticisms about the initiative petition.

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Nevada Congressional District 2 GOP primary race preview

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:30:00 -0000

Primary season is underway - if you haven't noticed all the campaign signs and ads in every commercial break. This week, host Ben Margiott previews the GOP primary for Nevada's 2nd Congressional district, which covers most of northern Nevada. With no Democrat running in this deep red district, the winner of the seat will likely be determined in the June primary. Rep. Mark Amodei, the incumbent since 2011, and Dr. Fred Simon sit down for extended interviews about why they're running, the national debt, foreign aid and whether they would continue to support former Pres. Trump if he's convicted before the election. Plus, an update on the controversial USPS plan to reroute northern Nevada mail through Sacramento after a Congressional oversight hearing with postmaster general Louis DeJoy this week and a viral moment from Sen. Jacky Rosen.

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Should public money be used for the A's baseball stadium in Las Vegas? Nevada Supreme Court to decide on proposed ballot question

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:41:30 -0000

Should public money be used to help build the Oakland A's baseball team a new stadium in Las Vegas? The state's largest teachers union wants to ask voters that question in November. But like so many other proposed initiatives, it's been challenged and appealed up to the Nevada Supreme Court. This week, justices heard oral arguments about the proposed referendum. Host Ben Margiott takes listeners inside the courtroom and interviews Alexander Marks, director of strategy for the Nevada State Education Association, about their 'Schools Over Stadiums' push, the effort to get the referendum on the November ballot and their unlikely alliance with Oakland A's fans.

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Interview with Biden cabinet members plus Nevada legislature election preview

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:50:00 -0000

After Pres. Biden's visit to Reno last month, two top Biden cabinet members are in northern Nevada this week. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su stopped by the studio for a sit-down interview with host Ben Margiott about ongoing FAFSA issues, unemployment, the Baltimore bridge collapse and more. Plus, Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus joins to preview some of the critical statehouse elections that will determine if Democrats are able to gain veto-proof supermajorities in Carson City or if Republicans can wrest back some power.

For more on Corbin Girnus' analysis of the statehouse elections, read her two recent pieces in the Nevada Current:

Can Lombardo break the Democrats’ Assembly supermajority? Here’s a look at the terrain.

Only 1 vote shy of a Nevada Senate supermajority, Democrats look to flip a seat (or more)

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What is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn Center

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:00:00 -0000

Question 3, which will be on the November ballot in Nevada, would make drastic changes to our electoral system, implementing two proposed reforms — open primaries and ranked-choice voting. If it were to pass again (after already passing in 2022), it would put those changes in the Nevada Constitution. Supporters say it would upend the two-party system as we know it but opponents worry it could lead to even more confusion. Before we explore the arguments for and against, we brought in the Guinn Center, Nevada's nonpartisan policy research center. The think tank just released a report explaining Question 3 and asking where Nevadans stand on the issues. Research director Mike Stewart and assistant director Kristine Caliger join the show to explain what Question 3 would do and what their research revealed.

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POTUS visit plus Nevada's top election official explains voter history error

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 21:05:27 -0000

The race for the White House heats up in the battleground states, with President Joe Biden making his first visit to Nevada this election cycle. Host Ben Margiott was in the presidential motorcade and takes listeners behind the scenes as Biden stopped by a Democratic campaign office to rally volunteers. Plus, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain a coding error that caused the website to incorrectly show people as having voted by mail in the presidential preference primary. Aguilar also details why he feels the USPS proposal to send Reno-area mail through a Sacramento distribution facility is problematic for mail ballots.

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Will abortion be on the ballot in November?

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:00:00 -0000

Will abortion be on the Nevada ballot in November? One initiative seeking to enshrine reproductive freedoms is currently in the hands of the Nevada Supreme Court and advocates are already gathering signatures for another measure dealing with abortion alone. On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott takes us inside last week's oral arguments at the state supreme court, explains the abortion landscape in Nevada and interviews Jason Guinasso, the attorney representing the Coalition for Parents and Children, which is challenging one of the proposed measures. (Note: Lindsey Harmon, the president of Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, was not available to do an interview in time for this episode, but her perspective is included through soundbites from an interview after last week's court hearing.)

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Nevada didn’t matter - but it will soon. A conversation with Jon Ralston

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:35:00 -0000

We Matter - that’s the slogan made famous by this week’s guest - Jon Ralston, the CEO and editor of The Nevada Independent. As we heard on last week's episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, the Silver State will of course matter in the general election, but we mattered quite a bit less during this Presidential nominating cycle. We brought Jon in to talk about 2024, the early Biden/Trump polls, the U.S. Senate race heating up and the first year of Governor Joe Lombardo’s administration.

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Why is Nevada a toss-up in the 2024 Presidential election?

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0000

In the 2024 Presidential election, Nevada isn't just a battleground, it's a toss-up. A coin flip. Don't take our word for it - that's the official race rating from the Cook Political Report, one of the most well-respected election forecasters in the United States. Senate and governor editor Jessica Taylor comes on the podcast to talk about why CPR changed Nevada from 'lean Democrat' to 'toss-up,' and our U.S. Senate race that could once again decide control of the chamber.

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Who should draw Nevada’s political maps?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:54:44 -0000

Who should draw Nevada's political maps? Today, it's whichever party is in control in Carson City. In the last cycle, Democrats had a trifecta and passed their maps without any Republican support - those maps were given an "F" from the nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project for giving Democrats a clear political advantage. But now one group is pushing to take the redistricting process out of the hands of politicians and put it into the hands of an independent board. Last week, a judge shot down the proposed ballot questions, but that decision is being appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court. In this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, we talk to the woman running the Fair Maps Nevada PAC behind the ballot questions and the man behind the legal challenge about the ongoing push to change this process and the pushback.

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Caucus recap and Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0000

The busiest week in Nevada elections in a long time is in the rearview mirror. In the end, Donald Trump and Joe Biden won all of Nevada's delegates from the caucus and primary, respectively. Host Ben Margiott interviews reporter Audrey Mayer about her experience covering the caucus at a Reno-area elementary school. Plus, an extended interview with interim Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess about why she came back to elections after experiencing burnout in a previous role, lessons learned running an ice cream shop in between jobs and how the primary went for a largely new elections staff in Washoe County.

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Presidential primary recap, plus Jon Ralston on the 'None of these candidates' surprise

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 21:36:00 -0000

Nevada's first presidential preference primary in decades went smoothly, with low voter turnout making for no lines at most polling places. As expected, President Joe Biden won the Democratic primary handily. But in a surprising turn of events, former ambassador Nikki Haley lost to 'None of these candidates' in the Republican contest. We speak with reporters Kim Burrows and Audrey Mayer about their experience covering the election on the ground, plus a conversation with Jon Ralston, the CEO of the Nevada Independent, about how that 'none of these candidates' option came to be and how voters have used it in the past.

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Primary. Caucus. Confusion. Explaining the mess with political expert Fred Lokken

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:00:00 -0000

Nevada's Presidential nominating process is more confusing than ever in 2024 with two different elections being held in a span of just three days. Despite the state shifting to a Presidential preference primary, the Nevada GOP has still opted to hold a caucus on February 8th. Truckee Meadows political science professor Fred Lokken comes on the show to explain in detail how and why we got here and how you can participate. We also talked about Nevada's diminished national attention this cycle because of the split process.

Presidential preference primary voter guide: https://mynews4.com/news/local/confused-by-nevadas-first-presidential-primary-in-decades-heres-your-voter-guide#

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Ballot Battleground: Nevada Trailer

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:58:18 -0000

Ballot Battleground: Nevada is a show where we take deep dives into the issues, people, policies and debates shaping politics in our critical swing state. Many voters find themselves confused or overwhelmed when they walk into the voting booth. Our goal is to explain the issues that matter most to everyday Nevadans so they're fully informed before casting their ballot.

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