Democrats take lead in registration

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999 | 10:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Democrats for the first time in four years have gained the edge in voter registration over Republicans, Secretary of State Dean Heller reported today.

Heller released figures showing Democrats with 375,395 registered voters compared with 374,273 for Republicans. Total registration surpassed the 900,000 mark for the first time, hitting 901,890.

State Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid called the news "very gratifying." Since last November the Democrats have outregistered Republicans every month, he said.

"We're organized, unified and optimistic," Reid said. In the past month he said the party has registered 300 more Democrats in Clark County than Republicans, pushing them over the top.

"People register for a political party because they feel more strongly about the ideas," Reid said.

Ryan Erwin, executive director of the Nevada Republican Party, predicted the Democratic lead would be short-lived.

"We have just now gotten our voter registration program back up," he said.

Democrats were in the majority from 1932 until Republicans overtook them in October 1995. The GOP margin grew to 10,383 in April 1996 but has steadily been shrinking.

The breakdown shows non-partisans at 127,098; Libertarians, 5,041; Green Party, 863; Independent American 17,075; Natural Law 665; Reform, 470; and others at 2,010.