Nevada's final day of early voting could be its busiest as more than 665,000 ballots are already cast statewide

What happened

Friday, the last day of early voting in Nevada, could bring the largest number of in-person early voters of the past two weeks if the week's pattern holds, KTNV reported. Daily in-person turnout has grown steadily since Monday.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 665,000 people had voted either in person at early voting sites or by mail, according to figures from the Nevada secretary of state cited by KTNV. Election Day is Tuesday. Voters can follow more coverage in our elections section.

Where the early vote stands

Daily in-person totals are rising

KTNV reported that about 23,000 people voted in person on Monday. By Thursday, the daily figure had grown to nearly 32,000. That upward trend is why the station said Friday could top the earlier days.

Party breakdown

Republicans led Democrats by about 9,000 ballots in early voting statewide as of Friday, according to KTNV. Democrats, meanwhile, held a lead of nearly 45,000 mail-in votes. Those figures do not include in-person voting on Election Day, when Republicans tend to turn out in larger numbers than Democrats, the station noted.

Election Day voting can make up a meaningful share of the total. In 2022, the last midterm election, votes cast on Election Day accounted for about 21% of all votes, KTNV reported.

Turnout compared with past elections

The more than 665,000 ballots cast by Friday afternoon equal about 32% of all active registered voters, according to KTNV. Over the past 24 years, turnout in midterm elections has averaged about 56.3%. In presidential election years during the same period, turnout has averaged about 76.5%.

KTNV also reported that President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged voters at rallies to act as if he is on the ballot, in an effort to raise midterm turnout.

New poll shows a tied governor's race

A Noble Predictive Insights poll released Friday found the race for governor tied at 47% each between incumbent Republican Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford, KTNV reported. The poll had a margin of error of 4.44%.

The same poll showed Democrats leading in three other statewide races, according to KTNV. Sandra Jauregui led in the race for lieutenant governor, Nicole Cannizzaro in the race for attorney general, and Cisco Aguilar in the race for secretary of state.

How to vote on Tuesday

Polling hours

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, KTNV reported. Voters can cast ballots at Election Day voting centers.

Mail ballots

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday to be counted, according to KTNV. Voters who would rather not mail their ballots can also drop them off in drop boxes at all Election Day voting sites.

When results will be released

Nevada will not release election results until the last voter anywhere in the state has cast a ballot, KTNV reported. Final unofficial results are not expected until about a week after Election Day, although the station said the outcome of many races should be clear on Tuesday or Wednesday.

What to watch next

• Whether Friday's in-person early vote count tops Thursday's total of nearly 32,000.
• Election Day voting on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., when Republicans have tended to turn out in larger numbers.
• Mail ballots, which must be postmarked by Tuesday to be counted.
• Final unofficial results, expected about a week after Election Day.