What is on your ballot?

Purpose and Scope

This section provides a comprehensive overview of all the offices and positions that are held in Nevada. It highlights the significance of these races, which often receive less attention compared to high-profile contests. Oftentimes individuals focus solely on federal races, but local and statewide offices also play a big role in shaping Nevada. By understanding the roles and responsibilities of these local and state-level positions, voters can grasp the direct impact these officials have on their communities and daily lives. Through informed voting in down-ballot races, voters can contribute to shaping policies and decisions that affect important aspects of their localities, such as education, public safety, infrastructure, taxation, and more.

Ballot Questions* (coming soon)

In the June Primary Elections, only the City of North Las Vegas will have ballot questions. All other cities and statewide ballot questions will appear in the November General Elections ballot.

Overview of Offices:

Brief descriptions of education, statewide, local, and federal offices on the ballot, highlighting their roles and responsibilities.

• Explanation of Down-Ballot Voting: Down-ballot voting refers to elections for offices or measures that appear further down on the ballot, beyond the high-profile races such as president or governor.
• Importance of Down-Ballot Races: While they may not receive as much attention as top-of-the-ticket contests, down-ballot races can have a significant impact on our communities and daily lives.

Education 

Education candidates include School District Trustees who manage K-12 schools, and the State Board of Education, Regents, who set policies and approve budgets, design policies and regulations, and work with communities to promote student achievement.

State Board of Education: 

The Nevada State Board of Education is responsible for establishing education policies and standards across the state. They ensure that all schools provide equal access to quality education and review data to monitor student progress. (Daily Life Impact: The State Board of Education has a significant impact on students’ education as they are the ones that decide on curriculum/standards, resource allocation, oversee teachers certification/evaluation process, are responsible for equity and access, and policy enforcement.)

• Districts up for election: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Term Limit: 12 years

Trustees of School Districts: 

As the political subdivision established by the state of Nevada, the Board of Trustees will plan and direct all aspects of the School District’s operations. In addition, Trustees of School Districts serve as the supervisors of the superintendent of the Clark County School District.  (Daily Life Impact: Manage K-12 public schools, planning and directing all aspects of the school district’s operations. They hold the authority to fire the superintendent if they are not conducting School Districts operations adequately.)

• Clark County Districts up for election: A, B, C, E
• Washoe County Districts up for election: A, D, E, G (at large)
  • An at-large district means it covers multiple districts. To find out if you are in District G, click here.
• • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Term Limit: 12 years

University of Nevada, Board of Regents: 

Nevada’s Board of Regents governs the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Regents set policies and approve budgets for Nevada’s entire public system of higher education: four community colleges, one state university, two doctoral-granting research universities, and one research institute. (Daily Life Impact: Shapes student achievement vision and policies. The Board of Regents influences daily student life by setting tuition rates, ensuring campus security, and establishing academic policies such as curriculum requirements. They also oversee university presidents, impacting campus culture and student support services)

• Districts up for election: 1, 4, 9, 12
  
• Term of Office: 6 years
  
• Term Limit: 3 Terms

City Council 

The mayor and city council create regulations for city land use, business activity, and public health and safety. (Daily Life Impact: If one part of the city suffers a flood and another part does not, when money comes in from state and federal authorities the city council members will decide where the money goes.)

• Term of Office: 4
• Term Limit: 3
  

• • Las Vegas

• • • Mayor seat: Elected at-large by voters of the city, and they preside over the city council meetings.
    • Wards up for election: 1, 3, 5
      

• • North Las Vegas

• • • Wards up for election: 2 and 4
      

• • Henderson

• • • Wards up for election: 1, 2, 4
      

• • Reno

• • • Wards up for election: 1, 3, 5, 6
      

• • Sparks

• • • Wards up for election: 1, 3, 5

County
  

Counties are responsible for all jurisdictions not covered within city boundaries.

County Clerk: 

The County Recorder’s responsibilities involve receiving, reviewing, recording or filing, indexing, and microfilming or scanning documents as required by law. (Daily Life Impact: Responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining legal documents.)

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: Varies

County Commissioner: 

The county commissioner’s role encompasses a variety of responsibilities: They oversee numerous offices and departments within the county. They are appointed to numerous boards and committees, addressing a wide array of issues such as transportation, healthcare, major business contracts and tourism. The boards and committees shape policies that impact not only the county but the entire state. Commissioners are also actively engaged in interactions with lawmakers and the media, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. Moreover, they navigate the intricacies of overlapping jurisdictions between county and city councils. (Daily Life Impact: The county commissioner oversees many operations and offices in Nevada. Such as the strip, airport, major business contracts, roads, etc.).

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: 3 terms
  • Clark County
    • Districts up for election: A, B, C, D
  • Washoe
    • Districts up for election: 1, 4

County Assessor: 

The Assessor’s Office locates taxable property, identifies ownership, and establishes value for the tax assessment rolls. (Daily Life Impact: A new shed constructed in a homeowner’s backyard a county assessor would be able to determine if the personal property is taxable.)

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: Varies

Constable: 

Nevada constables are civil enforcement officers. They are generally divided into two categories: civil process and civil enforcement. (Daily Life Impact: Executes court orders and warrants, ensuring public safety.)

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: Varies

County Treasurer:

The Nevada County Treasurer-Tax Collector is responsible for billing and collecting all County property taxes. (Daily Life Impact: Collects property taxes and manages county finances.)

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: Varies

Judicial 

Judges oversee criminal, family, and civil trials and lawsuits.

Supreme Court Justices: 

The Supreme Court is the State’s highest court and ultimate judicial authority. The Justices rule on appeals from the trial courts (District Courts), determining if legal errors were committed in court cases or whether verdicts and judgments were fair and correct. (Daily Life Impact: Serve as the highest judicial authority in the state, ruling on appeals and serving as the final interpreter of the state law.)

• Term of Office: 6 years
• Term Limit: None

Court of Appeal Judge: 

The Justices rule on appeals from the trial courts (District Courts), determining if legal errors were committed in court cases or whether verdicts and judgments were correct. The Justices sit in panels of three for most cases, or as the full court (en banc panel) to decide the most significant legal issues. The Nevada Supreme Court generally has the first opportunity to determine the appeals they would like to weigh in, with the other items making their way to the Nevada Court of Appeals. (Daily Life Impact: Review lower court decisions.)

• Term of Office: 6 years
• Term Limit: None

District Court Judge and Family Court Judge: 

District Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they hear criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases. The Family Court helps people with divorce, annulment, child custody, visitation rights, child support, spousal support, community property division, name changes, adoption, and abuse and neglect. Child Support cases in the Family Court are heard at the Child Support Center of Southern Nevada at 1900 E. (Daily Life Impact: Oversee a wide range of cases including criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters, ensuring justice and fair treatment.)

• Term of Office: 6 years
• Term Limit: None

Municipal Court Judge:

Municipal Courts handle cases involving civil infractions within specific city limits. These courts are funded by their respective cities and most of the funds collected by the municipal court go into the municipalities’ general fund. (Daily Life Impact: When you get a speeding ticket, you take it to court. The municipal court judge handles this case and imposes fines upon you.)

• Term of Office: 6 years
• Term Limit: None

Justice of the Peace:

Justice Courts handle misdemeanor crime and traffic matters, small claims disputes, evictions, and other civil matters less than $15,000. The justices of the peace also preside over felony and gross misdemeanor arraignments and conduct preliminary hearings to determine if sufficient evidence exists to hold criminals for trial at the District Court. Justices of the Peace are also referred to as judges. (Daily Life Impact: Justice Courts will decide whether or not you will get evicted.)

• Term of Office: 6 years
• Term Limit: None

State Senate & Assembly

Votes on state laws and sets our state budget priorities. Issues include funding schools and roads, criminal justice, voting rules, taxes, and more.

In Nevada, the State Senate and State Assembly are the two chambers of the Nevada Legislature, which is the state’s legislative branch. The Legislature is part-time, meaning they do not meet for the full calendar year. It also meets on odd number years. Here’s a breakdown of the positions within each chamber:

Nevada State Senate: 

Each senator represents a specific district within Nevada. Senators have staggered elections so that about half of the Senate is up for election every two years. (Daily Life Impact: Craft and pass state laws, set budget priorities, and address various issues including education funding, criminal justice, taxation, and transportation.)

• State Senate districts up for election: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 15, 18, 19.
  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Term Limit: 3 Terms

Nevada Assembly:

Like senators, assembly members represent specific districts within the state. Assembly Members are elected to two-year terms. (Daily Life Impact: Craft and pass state laws, set budget priorities, and address various issues including education funding, criminal justice, taxation, and transportation.)

• All 42 State Assembly districts are up for election.
  • Term of Office: 2 years
  • Term Limit: 3 Terms

State-Wide Executive Offices

*ALL OF THE STATE-WIDE EXECUTIVE OFFICES ARE NOT ON THE 2024 BALLOT. These seats represent the entire state rather than a specific district or locality within the state. They are charged with implementing and enforcing the laws made by the state legislature.

Governor: 

The governor of Nevada is the head of government of the U.S. state of Nevada. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the Nevada state government. The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces. (Daily Life Impact: Leads the state government, overseeing various departments and agencies, setting policy priorities, and managing emergencies. )

• Not up for election

• Term of Office: 4 years

• Term Limit: 2 terms

Lieutenant Governor: 

The Nevada lieutenant governor has five (5) statutory duties. These duties include chairing the state tourism commission; serving on boards related to transportation, economic development, and audits; and ensuring continuity of government in catastrophic emergencies. (Daily Life Impact: Chairs state commissions and ensures continuity of government in emergencies.)

• Not up for election
• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: None

State of Secretary: 

The Secretary of State, elected to a four-year term, is responsible for maintaining the official records of the acts of the Nevada Legislature and the executive branch of state government, as prescribed by law. Supervises state and local elections. Registers and files candidate contribution and expenditure reports. (Daily Life Impact: Maintains official records, supervises elections, and oversees campaign finance reporting.)

• Not up for election
• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: 2 terms

State Treasurer: 

As such, the State Treasurer’s Office manages the state’s cash flows and investments, issues, and services the state debt, and administers Nevada’s unclaimed property laws. (Daily Life Impact: Manages state finances and investments.)

• Not up for election
• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: 2 terms

State Controller: 

The Controller is the Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) of the state and is responsible for administering the state’s accounting system, registering vendors, settling all claims against the state, and collecting debts owed to the state. (Daily Life Impact: Administers the state’s accounting system and settles financial claims.) 

• Not up for election

• Term of Office: 4 years

• Term Limit: 2 terms

Attorney General: 

The Nevada Attorney General’s Office serves as the top law enforcement office for the State of Nevada and as a resource Nevadans can turn to for help. With nearly 400 dedicated employees,  they investigate and prosecute crimes, combat fraud and corruption, help consumers, and protect Nevadans’ rights. (Daily Life Impact: Enforces state laws, investigates crimes, and protects consumers’ rights.)

• Not up for election
• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: 2 terms

District Attorney:

The District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases, represents the State of Nevada in juvenile matters, represents the County government and various local governments in general legal matters, and administers the child support enforcement program. (Daily Life Impact: Prosecutes criminal cases and represents local governments in legal matters.)

• Not up for election
• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: None

Federal Offices

Federal offices enact laws that impact the entire country, with the President being charged with implementing and enforcing the laws made by Congress.

U.S. President:

Serves as the head of state of the Executive Branch of the United States Federal Government, serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and is responsible for the execution and enforcement of laws created by Congress. Note: The President office won’t appear on the June primary because the Presidential Preference Primary happened in February.  (Daily Life Impact: Shapes national policies, commands the military, and enforces federal laws.)

• Term of Office: 4 years
• Term Limit: 2 terms

U.S. Congress: Made up of the Senate and House of Representatives

Votes on federal laws and budgets, including those pertaining to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, national defense, transportation, and more. (Daily Life Impact: Passes federal laws and budgets, impacting programs like Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and national defense.)

Senate: 

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, conducts impeachment trials, and participates in lawmaking. (Daily Life Impact: Shapes federal laws and policies affecting various aspects of life, including healthcare, national security, and infrastructure.)

• Term of Office: 6 years 
• Term Limit: No limit 

House of Representatives: 

Initiates revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, and participates in lawmaking. (Daily Life Impact: Represents constituents’ interests in legislation related to taxation, spending, and governance, influencing programs and services like healthcare, education, and social welfare.)

• Term of Office: 2 years 
• Term Limit: No limit