Nevada would scrap its caucus system for a presidential preference primary under a bill considered Wednesday by a Senate committee. Another bill would open Nevada primaries in partisan races to all candidates, with the top two winners advancing to the general election. Both were heard Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections. The committee took no action on either bill. Senate Bill 421 presented by state Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden, would replace Nevada’s presidential caucus system with a presidential preference election early in presidential election years. And it would move Nevada’s statewide primary election from June to February.
Settelmeyer said changing Nevada’s caucus to an early primary is “intended to increase voter participation in presidential elections.”
He said that the caucus process of picking a presidential nominee is confusing to Nevada voters and many are uncomfortable expressing a preference in public during precinct meetings.
“Less than 10 percent of citizens actually help select the leader of the free world,” Settelmeyer said.
Full Article: Bill would do away with Nevada’s presidential caucus system | Las Vegas Review-Journal.