Washoe County, Nevada: Democrats are registering new voters at a 4-to-1 pace over Republicans

Betting on the West: Nevada

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008


<snip>

Democrats get traction

Nevada is a battleground state. A swing state. A purple state. On the roulette wheel this year, it's like the green double zero - neither red nor black. And while the Las Vegas area is likely going to fall to Obama in November based on recent polling data and the city's strong union ties, Reno - "The Biggest Little City in the World" - and the county in which it lies won't be such a sure thing.

Located in the northern part of Nevada, conservative Washoe County hasn't historically cared much for Democrats. They're viewed with suspicion - always wanting to strip away the individual's rights. Many residents here pretty much adhere to libertarian philosophies. After all, this is a state where both gambling and prostitution are legal. People cling to their right to operate free from government interference - and they're not that fond of receiving outside opinions or advice.

So independent are they that McCain came in third in the Nevada caucus - behind winner Mitt Romney and Libertarian hero Ron Paul.

There are 87,264 active registered Republicans in Washoe County compared with 80,558 Democrats. Nonpartisan voters number 28,264.

But the trend has recently favored Democrats. While President Bush's approval ratings hover around 30 percent, Washoe County Democrats are registering people to their party at a blistering pace - at a ratio of 4-to-1 over Republicans since Feburary and the city of Reno now has more registered Democrats than Republicans. And the state is currently home to one of the right wing's favorite lightning rods - Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate majority leader.

<snip>


more...

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/05/betting-the-west-nevada/