A recent analysis of the 2022 Nevada election highlights the significant number of mail-in ballots that were counted after Election Day, potentially affecting the outcome. In Clark County alone, nearly 40,000 mail-in ballots were counted after the election, making up about 5% of the total ballots. This had a notable impact on the Senate race between Republican Adam Laxalt and Democrat Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, with Laxalt initially leading on election night but ultimately losing by less than 8,000 votes statewide.
Despite initial concerns about a potential “red wave” in the midterm elections, Republicans did not see the expected gains. The close race in Nevada was influenced by the late influx of mail-in ballots from key counties like Clark and Washoe. The state law allowing ballots to be counted up to four days after the election led to a surge in votes for Cortez Masto, ultimately determining the outcome of the election.
The practice of ballot harvesting, legal in Nevada, also raised questions about the election process. Republicans believe that ballot harvesting may have played a role in the outcome, although reports indicate limited instances of this practice in the 2022 election. A federal lawsuit has been filed challenging the four-day grace period for counting ballots after Election Day, arguing that it violates federal laws establishing a national Election Day.
Overall, the analysis sheds light on the complexities of the election process in Nevada and the impact of late-arriving mail-in ballots on election results. While Democrats continue to dominate voting by mail, Republicans are considering strategies to adapt to the existing rules and regulations for future elections.
