Ballot Battleground: Nevada

After more than a decade in local television news, host Ben Margiott signs off from both News 4 Reno and Ballot Battleground: Nevada.

In this final episode, Ben reflects on why the podcast was created, the mission of making Nevada politics more accessible, the incredible guests and listeners who made it possible, and what's next.

It's a heartfelt thank you and farewell to everyone who joined the journey.
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As more Nevadans switch to electric vehicles, one of the state's biggest transportation funding questions is becoming harder to ignore: who should pay for the roads everyone uses?

Gas taxes have long funded road construction and maintenance, but EV drivers don't pay those taxes at the pump.

Now, Washoe County voters will weigh in on an advisory ballot question asking whether electric vehicle and hybrid owners should contribute more toward road funding.

This week, host Ben Margiott sits down with Regional Transportation Commission Executive Director Bill Thomas to explain how roads are funded today, why officials say the current system is becoming unsustainable, what other states are doing and what could happen depending on the results in November.

Gas tax gap: Should Nevada electric vehicle drivers pay for the roads they use?
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The Nevada primary is over, but the post-election news cycle is anything but quiet.

Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins Ballot Battleground: Nevada to break down a series of major developments shaping the state's elections. Host Ben Margiott and Aguilar discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing Nevada to continue counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, a federal court ruling blocking key provisions of a Trump administration executive order and what both decisions mean for voters.

We also look back at Nevada's 2026 primary election, including turnout, the rollout of new ballot marking devices and how election results were inadvertently released early to some media outlets prematurely.

Finally, Aguilar shares the latest on which ballot questions will appear before voters this November after several high-profile initiatives fell short.
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Nevada's 2026 primary election is over and the matchups for November's general election are set.

David Flippo and Teresa Benitez-Thompson will face off in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. And, as expected, it'll be Aaron Ford challenging incumbent Joe Lombardo for Nevada Governor.

Host Ben Margiott walks listeners through key state and local election results and chats with reporters Kim Burrows and Alisabeth Mitchell to hear their Election Night insights.

From the new ballot counting process and the vibe inside the registrar's office to the experience on the ground at vote centers and watch parties, Ben, Kim and Alisabeth recap a busy primary Election Night.

Full election results: https://silverstateelection.nv.gov/
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Primary Election Day 2026 is less than a week away and as Nevadans begin to vote both in person and by mail, they have questions.

This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott and News 4-Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy open up the mailbag again to answer your listener questions about the primary.

How do closed primaries work? Which contests will be decided before November? How much did Washoe County's new ballot devices cost? Which candidates oppose data centers? And does David Flippo still have a home in Las Vegas?

Ben and Chris answer all those questions and more so voters are well-informed and prepared as they walk into the voting booth in the coming days.

Washoe County election chief Andrew McDonald on turnover, voter rolls and … paper ballots?
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