The Nevada Republican Party voted to approve rules for a party-run caucus, which will take place two days after the state-run primary.
GOP members in Nevada opted to hold their own presidential caucus for the 2024 election, which was traditional in the state prior to the Democratic-led legislature passing a 2021 law switching the election from a caucus to a primary.
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The Nevada GOP confirmed on Saturday that members who participate in the primary can’t participate in the caucus because the state-run primary is not approved by the Republican Party. In addition to this barrier, candidates must pay $55,000 to participate in the caucus, and super PACs are prohibited. However, $20,000 can be given back if the candidate campaigns with the state party.
The caucus calls for only same-day voting, voter ID requirements, and paper ballots instead of machines.
Entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announced he would participate in the Nevada caucus last week, committing early before other candidates. Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald said radio host and GOP contender Larry Elder was at the meeting on Saturday and will compete in the caucus as well. McDonald also said former President Donald Trump committed to participating in the caucus following a closed-door meeting of the GOP’s committee.
Fighting to maintain its “first in the West caucus” status, Nevada Republicans have received pushback from presidential campaigns like Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and heard criticisms that the GOP-favored nominating system is an effort to ensure a win for Trump, which officials have rebuked.
“The situation in Nevada is very clear. They’re eliminating important grassroots processes, which doesn’t benefit voters, but it does benefit one person: Donald Trump,” Jess Szymanski, deputy communications director of DeSantis’s super PAC Never Back Down, told the Washington Examiner earlier this month.
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McDonald denied allegations that Republicans are pushing for a caucus because it will benefit Trump, telling the Washington Examiner, “Nevada is open to anybody who wants to come in, and the Republican Party will help any candidate that wishes to come here.”
State Republicans have said the caucus will choose its party’s candidate for president and noted the primary vote is a separate process under state law. The state-run primary will occur on Feb. 6, 2024, while the party-run caucus will be held on Feb. 8, 2024.
