Lombardo and Ford Deadlocked in Neck-and-Neck Nevada Governor’s Race, New Poll Shows

CARSON CITY, NV — With less than four months until Election Day, the battle for Nevada’s executive mansion sits in a dead heat, according to fresh polling figures released on Wednesday.

The survey reinforces Nevada’s reputation as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the nation as both major parties gear up for an intense fall campaign.

A Tied Race Heading into the Fall Sprint

According to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted for Democratic organizations, incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford are tied, with each candidate pulling 44% support among registered Nevada voters and 12% remaining undecided.

Neither candidate holds an edge outside the survey’s 4.2% margin of error. Both campaigns are posting underwater favorability ratings as voters weigh ongoing economic pressure, high housing costs, and state budget priorities.

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|          2026 NEVADA GUBERNATORIAL POLLING SNAPSHOT    |
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|  - Governor Joe Lombardo (R): 44%                     |
|  - Attorney General Aaron Ford (D): 44%                |
|  - Undecided / Other: 12%                              |
|  - Survey Margin of Error: ±4.2%                       |
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Ballot Measures Driving Turnout Engines

Beyond the top-of-the-ticket clash, campaign directors emphasize that voter turnout will be heavily driven by key constitutional ballot initiatives.

Nevadans will decide on Question 6 (establishing a constitutional right to abortion access) and Question 7 (requiring photo voter ID for in-person voting). Under Nevada law, constitutional amendments proposed via citizen initiative must pass in two consecutive general elections to officially amend the state constitution, making the 2026 ballot a critical secondary driver for turnout in Clark and Washoe counties.

Source: Public Policy Polling Survey Memorandum, The Nevada Independent Political Reports, Nevada Secretary of State Election Filings.