Republicans increase edge over registered Democrats

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Republicans increased their voter registration lead slightly over Democrats in June, Secretary of State Dean Heller said Tuesday.

As of the end of the month, 814,689 people were registered to to vote, a net increase of 7,188 from May. Nevadans have until Aug. 3 to register for the primary election and by Oct. 5 for the general election.

"In light of all our nation has gone through over the last 10 months, we should be grateful for the opportunity and right to vote freely in an open society," Heller said.

Republicans numbered 345,301, or 10,792 more than Democrats. That increased the difference by 139 voters since May.

The GOP has the majority of voters in 13 of the state's 17 counties. Clark County remains Democratic with 225,507 of that party, 197,557 Republicans and 70,727 non-partisan.

Other counties with Democratic registration majorities are Lincoln, Mineral and White Pine.

The office reported statewide there were 112,409 non-partisan, 14,117 Independent American, 4,325 Libertarian, 1,811 Green, 582 Reform, 547 Natural Law and 1,088 other.

In a breakdown of the three congressional districts, Democrats outnumber Republicans 102,398 to 72,477 with 28,605 non-partisans in the 1st Congressional District 1, where Democrat Shelley Berkley is the incumbent.

The 2nd District, which includes all of Northern Nevada and a part of Clark County, has 152,509 Republicans; 114,150 Democrats and 43,579 non-partisans. Rep. Jim Gibbons, a Republican, is the incumbent.

The newly formed 3rd District in Clark County has 120,262 Republicans; 117,938 Democrats and 40,208 non-partisans.