Nevada voters back Question 6 abortion rights amendment a second time as governor race results wait for counting

What happened

Nevada voters approved Question 6 for a second time on Tuesday, a step needed to write the right to an abortion into the state constitution, according to Nevada Current. The group Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom declared victory shortly after polls closed on election night.

Other results were slow to arrive. Nevada Current reported that long lines in Washoe and Clark counties meant no results had been released in Nevada more than three hours after polls closed.

Question 6 and abortion rights

Early returns showed Question 6 at around 63%, Nevada Current reported. That is about the same level of support the measure received two years ago, when voters approved it the first time.

Why a second vote was needed

The measure had to pass a second time before it could be adopted into the state constitution, according to Nevada Current. Early returns on Tuesday showed voters giving it that second approval.

What current law already allows

Abortion in Nevada is currently legal up to 24 weeks after the start of a pregnancy, and after 24 weeks if a physician believes the pregnant person's life or health is at risk, Nevada Current reported. Those protections came from a citizen-driven referendum voters passed in 1990, and changing them would require a direct vote of the people.

Nevada Current described that as a fairly high bar already. The outlet reported that advocates wanted to raise it further, citing attacks on reproductive rights across the nation under the Trump administration.

Governor results delayed by long lines

Nevada Current called the race for governor perhaps surprisingly close. As Democrats swept governor's races across the country, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo addressed supporters at his election night watch party in Las Vegas while Nevada waited for results.

Lombardo tells supporters to stay upbeat

"I want everybody to stay upbeat. I want everybody to stay positive," Lombardo said, according to Nevada Current. He pointed to his 2022 race against former Gov. Steve Sisolak, which was not called until three days after the election.

Lombardo acknowledged the national blue wave but said he believed Nevada would buck the trend. He told supporters not to be discouraged by early counts, saying Republicans turn out in larger numbers on Election Day and those votes are counted later. "Republicans come late to the process," he said, as quoted by Nevada Current.

Governor leaves before results

By 10:45 p.m., Lombardo had left the event, Nevada Current reported. Dr. Tony Alamo announced that Lombardo left because there was nothing to report Tuesday night and that results likely would not be known until Wednesday or later.

Other races on the ballot

Nevada Current described the race for the Northern Nevada congressional district as somewhat shockingly close. In the state's other U.S. House seats, three Republicans challenged three incumbent Democrats. Our earlier guide covers the governor and House races to watch.

The outlet said President Donald Trump and the impact of his policies, particularly on the economy, hung over the election. Affordability was the watchword of the 2026 campaign cycle, according to Nevada Current.

Uncontested legislative seats

A fourth of the Nevada Legislature seats up this cycle had uncontested races, Nevada Current reported: 3 of 11 in the state Senate and 11 of 42 in the state Assembly. The outlet said each of those districts heavily favors one party, which discourages many in the minority party from running. Read more on how Legislature races could shape the next governor.

What to watch next

• Results in the governor's race, which Dr. Tony Alamo announced at Lombardo's watch party likely would not be known until Wednesday or later.
• The outcome of the close race for the Northern Nevada congressional district.
• Results in the three U.S. House seats where Republicans challenged incumbent Democrats.
• Final vote totals for Question 6, which stood at around 63% in early returns.