Report: New Nevadans May Impact Elections

Relocation tech company moveBuddha examined recent interstate moves across the United States and political dynamics to answer this question: Can America’s Moves Swing the 2024 Election?

According to their report, the answer is “yes” when it comes to battleground states, including Nevada.

In Nevada, Georgia and Arizona,  new residents often head to urban-area “blue islands” that have the people-power to swing state elections. The “blue islands” are typically large urban areas in predominantly red-voting states and serve as their state’s biggest economic hubs.

In Nevada it’s Las Vegas, a metro which has seen population grow by nearly 250,000 since 2020 (by some estimates).

From 2020 to 2024, job growth in Nevada increased 10 percent and the Silver State ranks twelfth in building permits. Both jobs and housing draw in college-educated Gen Z and Millennial residents from out of state, more likely to vote blue, the report concludes.

According to voter registration numbers, Independent voters in the Silver State continue to surpass the registration numbers of both Republicans and Democrats.

Yet, voting blue in Clark County is not an anomaly as Clark County historically ensures a Democratic victory as eyes shift North to Washoe County, considered a swing county. Washoe County is the second largest county in the Silver State and has recently experienced significant growth in out-of-state migration, housing development and job growth.

As reported by The Globe, a study conducted by Business Facilities found that Nevada ranks eighth as the best business climate in the United States.

The City of Reno ranks second for the largest midsize manufacturing hub, Nevada ranks second for Electronic Vehicle (EV) Investment, and Clark County ranks second for the fasting growing county.

Highlighting the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, Governor Lombardo noted that tech and manufacturing companies have “invested billions of dollars and have created tens of thousands of jobs,” and refers to Reno as a blueprint of success throughout the state. “By positioning itself as a business friendly, logistically attractive, low tax, and low regulatory climate, Nevada has seen significant growth in manufacturing,” Lombardo said.

Governor Lombardo cited that from 2012 through 2022, manufacturing jobs in Nevada increased by 61%, while overall employment in the state grew 26%.

“By positioning itself as a business friendly, logistically attractive, low tax, and low regulatory climate, Nevada has seen significant growth in manufacturing,” Lombardo said.

The growth of a manufacturing “blue island” in a swing county like Washoe could impact the November election and ultimately determine if Democrats continue to hold or gain seats in state-wide and federal elections.