For the first time since 2007, registered Republicans now outnumber registered Democrats in Nevada, marking a historic shift in the state’s voter registration figures ahead of the 2026 election cycle, according to updated data released Monday.
The latest statewide numbers show 596,356 active Republican registrations compared with 593,740 Democratic registrations, giving the GOP a narrow lead of 2,616 voters. Independent or nonpartisan voters remain the largest group overall, with 799,056 registrations, accounting for roughly 37.5 percent of all active voters.
Republicans last held a registration advantage in Nevada in 2007, before nearly two decades of Democratic registration superiority. Over time, the gap between the parties narrowed as Democratic registration declined and Republican registration increased.
The shift adds to a series of changes in Nevada’s political landscape following Republican electoral successes in recent statewide races, including the governorship and federal contests, where the party has made gains after winning the state in the 2024 presidential election.
While the registration lead is slim, analysts say it reflects broader trends in voter alignment and could influence how competitive the state remains in upcoming midterm and presidential elections.
The altered registration figures do not guarantee election outcomes, as independent voters — the largest category — could still sway results. However, the milestone is being watched as a potential indicator of shifting voter sentiment in a key battleground state.
Last week, Fox News co-host Kayleigh McEnany argued that Democrats shifting further to the Left politically is a “gift” to President Donald Trump and Republicans going into the 2026 midterms.
During a segment on Outnumbered, MeEnany and the panel discussed the recent elections in November, where far-left Democrats performed well, such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“You have these voices in the Republican Party that are constructive. But the problem is they’re rubbing up against the Democrat voices, many of which you just read. I mean, that quote, if they go low, I’m going to the gutter, I guess gone are the days of Michelle Obama where they go high,” McEnany said.
“I’m not sure if those days were ever truly here, but at least they were in word rather than action. But I’m struck by what some of these Democrats have told The Hill. There is a Democratic senator. People are going to get hammered if we make a deal with Republicans,” McEnany said, referring to Democrats keeping the federal government shutdown for over a month to appease the far-left wing of their party.
“So they were afraid of getting hammered by their base. They’re admitting that. Another person familiar with Democrats in the Senate, their caucus thinking said we would have enough votes if people were not terrified of being sent to the guillotine,” McEnany said.
“These people are so petrified of the same progressive left-wing flank that is animating the candidacy of Zohran Mamdani that they have to shut down the government and can’t even get military families paid. It is a really striking place for the party. This is something to watch because it could come back and bite Democrats big time going into next year’s midterm elections,” McEnany said.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee recently took a major step toward holding its first-ever national convention during a midterm election year.
The RNC approved a change to party rules that would allow Chairman Joe Gruters to convene a convention outside of a presidential election cycle.
National political conventions traditionally take place during presidential election years, when delegates formally nominate the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Republicans are seeking to defend control of the Senate and a slim majority in the House in this year’s midterm elections.
A memo obtained by Fox News referenced the possibility of an “America First” midterm convention-style gathering aligned with President Trump’s political vision.