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Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

Can the Nevada Legislature install any candidate of its choice if an election is contested?


no

Nevada law empowers the Legislature to resolve contested elections for state-level positions and a separate process for the judicial branch to determine the winner of a contested local election, such as for mayor or county commission. A contested election generally occurs when a losing candidate raises substantive questions about the legality or validity of the result.

Whether the contested election is for a state or local position, only a candidate for the office in question may be declared the winner. For contested state elections, disputes over an assembly or senate seat are decided by the related legislative chamber. Contests for statewide offices, such as governor or secretary of state, are determined by a joint meeting of both legislative houses.

The Nevada Legislature has no jurisdiction over contested elections for federal offices, such as for the U.S. Senate or House. 

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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