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Why Some Races Skip the Primary and Go Directly to the General Election

This year in Carson City, all local offices—such as Sheriff, Clerk‑Recorder, and Treasurer—had two or fewer candidates, which means none of these contests required a Primary. As a result, you will not see any Carson City local races on the Primary ballot. All of them will appear on the General Election ballot in November.

Who Can Appear on the General Election Ballot

Candidates from a minor political party can appear on the general election ballot only if their party is officially qualified.

A minor political party is considered qualified when it:

• Files its certificate of existence and is organized as required by NRS 293.171
• Files its list of partisan candidates with the Secretary of State
• And meets at least one of the statewide qualification requirements in law (such as earning 1% of the vote, 1% voter registration, or submitting a petition)

Because nonpartisan candidates are not part of an organized political party, they cannot qualify under these provisions. Nonpartisan candidates qualify for the ballot under separate rules, not through minor political party requirements.