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Did a wave of Californians moving to Nevada make the state less red?

By Todd Butterworth
NO

While the percentage of registered voters in Nevada identifying as Republican has decreased modestly in recent years, this is more attributable to residents leaving both parties in favor of a non-affiliated registration than California transplants tipping the scales.

Between 2008 and 2017, California was the leading source of new Nevada residents, with approximately 150,000 net residents moving from California. Between 2008 and 2022, Nevada's share of registered voters identifying as Republican dropped by about 5.5%. However, Nevada's share of registered voters identifying as Democrat declined even more: by 11%.

Nevadans overall have shifted their voter registrations away from the two major parties. In 2008, 20% of active voters were not affiliated with the Republicans or Democrats. As of October 2022, that percentage had increased to 37%, a plurality of voters. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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