The 2026 Nevada Secretary of State election will determine who serves as the state's chief elections officer, business registrar, and keeper of state records for a four-year term. This position has gained heightened national attention due to Nevada's status as a perennial swing state in presidential elections and the increased focus on election administration following the 2020 election. The Secretary of State oversees Nevada's election systems, certifies results, maintains business filings, and manages the state's archives. The 2026 election will feature candidates from both major parties vying for an office that has become central to debates about election integrity, voting access, and democratic processes. The outcome could influence how Nevada administers the 2028 presidential election and shape business regulations in a state where tourism and corporate filings generate significant revenue. Current interest stems from Nevada's narrow electoral margins, recent controversies over election procedures, and the growing political importance of secretaries of state nationwide. The race will test whether Nevada voters prefer election administration focused on security or accessibility, with implications for control of a key battleground state's electoral machinery.

Historical Context

Nevada created the Secretary of State position when it achieved statehood in 1864. For much of its history, the office attracted little controversy, focusing primarily on business registrations and record-keeping. This changed following the 2000 presidential election, when Nevada's electoral votes became consistently competitive. The 2004 election saw the Secretary of State's race become more partisan, with Republican Dean Heller winning that year before moving to Congress. The 2010 election brought Republican Ross Miller to the office, followed by Republican Barbara Cegavske in 2014. Cegavske's tenure coincided with the most contentious period in the office's history. In 2020, Nevada implemented universal mail voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Cegavske certified Joe Biden's 33,596-vote victory despite pressure from within her party to question the results. This led to primary challenges from election-skeptic candidates in 2022. Democrat Cisco Aguilar's 2022 victory marked the first time a Democrat had won the office since 1994, reflecting Nevada's shifting political landscape and the increased salience of election administration issues. The 2026 election will continue this trend of competitive races for an office that has transformed from administrative to highly political.

Frequently Asked Questions