Nevada polls close at 7 p.m. as the governor's race, legislative supermajorities and an open House seat draw attention

What happened

Nevada polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m., according to The Nevada Independent. Anyone who is in line by closing time can still cast a ballot.

Because the state has robust early and mail voting, most of the vote is already in, the outlet reported. In 2022, the most recent midterm, 21 percent of the electorate voted on Election Day. The Independent wrote that a similar share this year could be more than enough to swing the state's most competitive races. Earlier coverage looked at Nevada's early turnout pace heading into Election Day.

The governor's race

The Independent described the contest between Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, and Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, as likely the closest race in the state this year. The outlet said the race may be too close to call Tuesday night.

Ad spending tops $77.2 million

It is the most expensive race in Nevada this cycle by ad spending, with more than $77.2 million spent as of Monday, according to AdImpact data cited by the Independent. Republican spending has outpaced Democratic spending by more than $32.6 million. In 2022, total spending on the governor's race was more than $83.8 million, and Democrats held a spending edge of about $3.3 million.

Trump and ticket splitting

The Independent reported that President Donald Trump looms large over both candidates. The outlet wrote that Lombardo has tried to balance embracing MAGA with appealing to moderates, while Ford has tied the governor to Trump. Lombardo's closing message was the subject of earlier coverage.

Nevada voters often split their tickets, the outlet noted. In 2022 they re-elected Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, while electing Lombardo. In 2024, Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat, won re-election even as Trump carried the state.

What a Ford win would mean

If Ford wins, the Independent reported, he would be the first Black governor elected in a state west of the Mississippi River. He would also return the office to a Democrat for only the second time this century.

Legislative supermajority in play

A key subplot is whether Democrats can reach a two-thirds supermajority in one or both houses of the Legislature, according to the Independent. The party is one seat short in both chambers. A supermajority would let Democrats override vetoes or pass taxes without Republican support. The outlet noted that the last two sessions each saw double-digit vetoes under Lombardo. Read more on how legislative races could shape the next governor.

Nevada's House races

The Independent reported that Nevada's Democratic House incumbents face Republican challengers including state Sen. Carrie Buck of Henderson, video game composer Marty O'Donnell and rancher and small-business owner Cody Whipple. The outlet said the national environment has improved for Democrats since last year.

An open seat in the 2nd District

Rep. Mark Amodei, a Republican, is retiring from the Northern Nevada seat. Amodei and the governor endorsed former state Sen. James Settelmeyer, but Trump endorsed small-business owner David Flippo before the primary, and Flippo won. Flippo had switched over from a bid in the 4th Congressional District. By August, the Independent reported, it was clear Amodei would not endorse him.

Flippo faces former Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson, a Reno Democrat placed on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue list. The Independent reported this is the most expensive race in the district's history. The Freedom Caucus, Club for Growth and others have spent millions for Flippo, and the National Republican Congressional Committee also stepped in.

Late outside activity

Independent race raters have repeatedly shifted the contest toward Democrats, while betting markets put Flippo's chances around 2 in 3, the outlet reported. In the final days, outside groups have tried to steer Republican voters toward Lynn Chapman (IAP), and other groups have used similar tactics against Benitez-Thompson.

What to watch next

• Polls close at 7 p.m., and voters in line by then can still cast ballots.
• Whether the governor's race between Lombardo and Ford is called Tuesday night or remains too close to call.
• Whether Democrats gain the one seat needed for a two-thirds supermajority in either legislative chamber.
• The outcome of the open 2nd Congressional District race, with the winner taking office in January.