Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 14) is Primary Election Day, and the last chance for those who missed early voting or opted out of mail-in ballots to cast their votes. Election Day Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., statewide.

It is not unusual to see fewer voters turnout for primaries than for general elections, but for many reasons, voting in the primaries is just as important. It is through the primary process that the major parties determine who their candidates for the General Election will be, and candidates for nonpartisan offices must also be nominated during the Primary Election. If you want to play a role in choosing who you get to vote for in the general election, it is essential to cast your ballot in the Primary Election.

Nevada has “closed primaries,” which means that you need to be registered as a Republican or Democrat to participate. It is now possible to register to vote up to and even on election day, so if you have not yet registered, it is not to late to do so. You can register on Election Day by going to a Vote Center (you must bring a current photo I.D. that includes your name and address, or a current utility bill), or you can register online on the Secretary of State Elections Home Page (type “voter registration” into the site’s search window).

If you are still on the fence about participating in the Primary Election, there are some more compelling reasons to do so. As mentioned, if you don’t participate, you may not see your preferred candidate on the General Election ballot, but early voting is also a key part of civic engagement, helping you to connect with your community. Remember that voting is not only a civic duty, but an opportunity and a privilege. For younger and first-time voters, Primary Elections provide an opportunity to participate in an election experience that is a bit less overwhelming; lines tend to be shorter, and participating the a Primary Election can make a General Election less intimidating. Voting in the Primary Election also provides an extra opportunity to learn about the candidates and topics under discussion; to consider other voting methods (mail-in ballots or early voting) for the General Election; and is a good opportunity to double-check registration information for accuracy.

For more information on the Primary Election (including voting, tracking results, registering, candidates and ballot questions) here are a few valuable resources:

• https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/elections/2022

• https://thenevadindependent.com/elections/2022/races

• https://ballotpedia.org/Nevadaelections,_2022

• https://vote-nevada-blog.org/2022-primary-election-resources/

We hope to see you at the polls!!