Ballot Battleground: Nevada

Harry Reid was the most powerful politician Nevada has ever produced — and the machine he built still shapes state politics today.

This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, The Nevada Independent CEO and veteran journalist Jon Ralston joins host Ben Margiott to discuss his new book, The Game Changer, and what it reveals about Reid’s rise from Searchlight to Senate Majority Leader — and how he rewrote the political playbook for Democrats.

Then we turn to the present: the wide-open race for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District following Rep. Mark Amodei’s surprise retirement. Who’s in, who’s out, who could jump in — and do Democrats actually have a shot at flipping CD2?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nevada has already climbed the Presidential primary calendar, establishing itself in the slate of early states that vote prior to Super Tuesday.

But now Democratic party leaders want to move up to first in the nation, with the Nevada Dems officially submitting their bid to the DNC last month.

Why is Nevada deserving of the coveted top spot?

In the first episode of season 3 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott speaks to DNC Vice Chair Artie Blanco about Nevada’s bid to become the first Democratic presidential contest in 2028.

We unpack how the DNC sets the calendar, why Nevada’s diversity and battleground status matter, and what lessons were learned from the 2024 primary shake-up.

Plus, what a “Nevada first” calendar could mean for voters, campaigns, and national policy priorities.

WATCH Ballot Battleground: Nevada on YouTube
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ballot Battleground: Nevada is back for Season 3.

2026 is an election year — and here in Nevada, the stakes are high. From Congressional races and a crucial Governor’s race to state and local contests and major ballot questions, we’re covering it all.

I’m Ben Margiott, a reporter at News 4 Reno and Fox 11, and I'm passionate about breaking down Nevada politics to make it more accessible, more digestible, and more relevant for voters across our critical battleground state.

Season 3 kicks off February 4, with new episodes every other Wednesday to start — and weekly episodes as Election Day approaches.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And new this season, you can watch full episodes on YouTube on the News 4 Reno page.

Subscribe, follow, and get ready for the 2026 election season.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 7 days, Nevada lawmakers adjourned the state’s 36th special legislative session sine die late Wednesday.

The week was packed with unexpected surprises, important policy debates, long lulls in the action and criticism about the lack of transparency.

From a rare procedural move that nearly derailed film tax credits on day 1 to lawmakers adding their own bill to the agenda for the first time ever, it was a dramatic special session - which could have major implications for 2026.

This episode, host Ben Margiott breaks down everything that happened — floor debates, committee hearings, and behind-the-scenes negotiations — with the reporters who were there every day: Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren of The Nevada Independent and Paul Boger of KNPR.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 2026 midterms, Washoe County will — once again — have someone new running its elections.

Andrew McDonald is the county’s new registrar of voters — the 4th person to hold that job since 2022.

But McDonald says he’s in it for the long haul and he's got some big goals: moving the registrar’s office to a bigger location, continuing to clean up the voter rolls, and bringing in new voting machines that leave a paper record for every ballot cast in person.

In Nevada election quirk, high card draw breaks tie in rural Washoe County trustee contest

RGJ: Election security: Pilot program will focus on voter rolls | Clara Andriola

Critic of Washoe election integrity turns to praise with new voter roll challenge
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices