Presidential election primary vs. GOP caucus explained; where to vote in Carson City

Due to a new state law, many Republicans in the Silver State are finding themselves at a loss with the upcoming election, and how to make sure their vote will matter.

In its essence, there are two ways to vote: In the primary presidential election and the caucus.

Traditionally, Nevada presidential elections have utilized a caucus to choose their front runners. However, a new state law has initiated a primary for both Republicans and Democrats to select their presidential candidates. While Democrats have chosen to move away from caucusing and focus solely on a primary election, Nevada Republicans chose to also host a caucus.

While this may seem like a “best of both worlds” choice on paper, the main issue is that, for all intents and purposes, the primary has no influence on a front runner selection. The Republican party has chosen to only use the results of the caucus to decide on their front runner.

Adding to the confusion, both the primary and caucus ballots will also consist of candidates who have suspended their presidential campaigns, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and more.

Republican voters can vote in both the primary and the caucus if they so wish, but the primary will have no bearing on the presidential selection. Only the caucus will earn candidates their delegates.

The primaries for both Democratic and Republican voters will take place Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. The voting will be at the Carson City Community Center, 851 East William Street. The voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Republican caucus will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 and will remain open until 7 to 7:30 p.m. depending on location.

In Carson City, caucus locations are divided between the Carson City Plaza Hotel and Events Center located at 801 S. Carson St. and Casino Fandango at 3800 S. Carson St based on your precinct.

For all caucusing locations and precincts statewide, please see the caucus location spreadsheet here.

Republican Primary candidates

While the big names of DeSantis, Pence and Scott have suspended their campaigns, voters will recognize candidate Nikki Haley’s name on the primary ballot. Haley is a former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She is also the only female candidate in the Republican presidential election this year. Other candidates include John Anthony Castro, a Texas tax consultant, Heath Fulkerson, a Reno-based businessman, Donald Kjornes, a former real estate agent from South Dakota, and Hirsh Singh, a New Jersey resident.

Republican Caucus candidates

While there were initially six candidates for president competing in the caucus, four have suspended their campaigns, including Florida governor Ron Desantis, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, and Vivek Ramaswamy. This leaves former president Donald Trump and Texas pastor Ryan Binkley on the ballot.

Breaking it down

Republican voters are not required to vote in either the primary or the caucus to retain their voter registration. However, if a voter does not vote in two consecutive federal elections, they will need to reregister as an active voter. Learn more here.

Want to check to see your current voter registration? Click here.

Voters can choose whether or not to vote in the primary or the caucus. However, voting in the primary will only be “symbolic” and will have no effect on delegates.

Voting in the caucus is the only way to have your vote go toward the presidential primary selection in Nevada.

While primary ballots are accepted through both early voting and on election day, the caucus is only occurring for two hours on Feb. 8. You must vote in person in the caucus to have your vote counted, or vote with an approved absentee ballot. This is not the same as the mail-in ballots issued during the primary early voting period.

To learn more about candidates, visit the Nevada Independent’s 2024 election guide.