Nevada Primary and Delegate Rules
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Nevada primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.
Quick Answer
- Primary types: Democratic presidential: Closed; Democratic state: Partially Open; Republican presidential: Closed; Republican state: Partially Open.
- Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
- Democratic delegates: 48 total, 36 pledged, 12 unpledged, 3 alternates.
- Republican delegates: 26 total, 26 pledged, 0 unpledged, 23 alternates.
Nevada Primary Election Types
| Party | Contest | Primary type |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Presidential | Closed |
| Democratic | State | Partially Open |
| Republican | Presidential | Closed |
| Republican | State | Partially Open |
Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling
Consolidated Primaries: No
Nevada is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on different days
Nevada is modeled as partially open for state primaries because primary ballot selection is tied to public party affiliation records, while major-party contests remain restricted by party registration. Federal/State Primary Elections are "CLOSED" under Nevada election guidance. That means if you chose Democratic or Republican as your party on your Voter Registration Application, you may vote only for candidates from your own party and you may also vote in nonpartisan contests. If you chose a party affiliation that was anything other than Democratic or Republican, you may vote only in nonpartisan contests.
Nevada Presidential Delegate Allocation
The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.
| Party | Total delegate votes | Pledged | Unpledged | Alternates | Allocation method | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 48 | 36 | 12 | 3 | Proportional | 15% minimum vote required |
| Republican Party | 26 | 26 | 0 | 23 | Proportional | 3.846% minimum |
Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process
Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation
The Democratic party will send a total of 48 Delegate Votes (36 Pledged, 12 unpledged) and 3 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 23
- At-large Delegates: 8
- Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 5
- Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 12
- Alternate Delegates: 3
Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown
- DNC Members: 7
- Dem. Members of Congress: 5
- Dem. Governors: 0
- Distinguished Party Leaders: 0
Republican Party Primary Delegates Process
Republican Party's Delegates Allocation
The Republican party will send a total of 26 Delegate Votes (12 district-level, 11 at-large, 3 RNC) and 23 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. All 26 National Convention delegates are proportionally bound to Presidential contenders based on the State's caucus vote. A 3.846% threshold is required in order for a contender to be allocated delegates.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 12
- At-large Delegates: 11
- RNC Delegates: 3
- Alternate Delegates: 23
About These Rules
This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.
Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.Sources and Related Election Pages
The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: