State Summary
Nevada’s congressional and state legislative lines are drawn by the legislature, as a regular statute, subject to gubernatorial veto.
A 2020 ballot initiative attempting to change the redistricting process survived litigation but not COVID-19, as it could not gather enough signatures during the pandemic to make the 2020 ballot. Another reform initiative in 2024 was struck by the courts as an unlawful unfunded mandate, inadequately described for the ballot.
In the 2020 cycle, the legislature passed congressional and state legislative districts (SB1) on Nov. 16, 2021, which the governor signed the same day.
In the 2010 cycle, the legislature passed SB 497 on May 10, 2011, which was vetoed on May 14, 2011; on May 25, 2011, the legislature passed AB 566, which was vetoed on May 31, 2011. With the legislature out of session until 2013, the process fell to the state courts. The trial court promulgated final congressional and state legislative districts on Oct. 27, 2011.
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Key Info for 2000 Cycle
Website
Primary governing law
Key Info for 2010 Cycle
Website
Primary governing law
Key Info for 2020 Cycle
Website
Primary governing law
Data
The Latest Updates
Institution
Nevada’s congressional and state legislative lines are drawn by the legislature, as a regular statute, subject to gubernatorial veto.
More information about the members of the legislative committees responsible for redistricting will be available here.
Timing
Nevada law does not currently provide a particular deadline to draw congressional lines, though candidates must file for congressional primary elections by Mar. 18, 2022. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.177(1)(b)]
State legislative lines must be redrawn in the legislature’s first session after the Census; that session is scheduled to begin on Feb. 1, 2021, and end on June 1, 2021. [Nev. Const. art. IV, § 5] Candidates must file for state legislative primary elections by Mar. 18, 2022. [Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.177(1)(b)]
Nevada ties the drawing of state legislative lines to the Census, and might therefore be construed to prohibit redrawing lines mid-decade; there is no similar provision pertaining to congressional lines. [Nev. Const. art. IV, § 5]
Public input
Beyond noting that committee meetings are available for public testimony, the legislature has not yet announced any specific plans or guidelines for public input.
Criteria
Like all states, Nevada must comply with constitutional equal population requirements. Nevada will also adjust census data for congressional and state legislative districts in order to count incarcerated individuals at their last known residence before incarceration. [Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 218B.105, 304.065, 360.288]
Nevada must also, like all states, abide by the Voting Rights Act and constitutional rules on race.
Nevada does not currently create any additional requirements beyond those above.
2020 cycle
A 2020 ballot initiative attempting to change the redistricting process survived litigation but not COVID-19, as it could not gather enough signatures during the pandemic to make the 2020 ballot. [Consent Decree, Fair Maps Nev. v. Cegavske, No. 3:20-cv-00271 (D. Nev. June 9, 2020); Jackson v. Fair Maps Nevada PAC, 467 P.3d 635 (Nev. 2020)] Another reform initiative in 2024 was struck by the courts as an unlawful unfunded mandate, inadequately described for the ballot. [Fair Maps Nev. v. Jeng, 548 P.3d 427, 2024 WL 2120696 (Nev. 2024)]
The legislature was thereby left in charge of congressional and state legislative lines. It passed those maps (SB1) on Nov. 16, 2021, which the governor signed the same day. The maps were challenged in state court, but those challenges were rejected. [Koenig v. Nevada, No. 21-OC-00166-1B (Nev. Dist. Ct., Carson City Mar. 24, 2022)]
2010 cycle
On May 10, 2011, the Nevada legislature passed SB 497, which was vetoed on May 14, 2011; on May 25, 2011, the legislature passed AB 566, which was vetoed on May 31, 2011. With the legislature out of session until 2013, the process fell to the state courts. On Oct. 14, 2011, three special masters appointed by the state court issued a report and accompanying district plans for congressional and state legislative districts. The trial court promulgated slightly modified districts on Oct. 27, 2011. [Guy v. Miller, No. 11 OC 00042 1B (Nev. Dist. Ct., Carson City Oct. 27, 2011)]
It does not appear that the plans were further challenged in court.
Materials and maps are available here.
Redistricting Cases in Nevada
State court struck petition for redistricting initiative: unfunded mandate
State court struck petition for redistricting initiative: unfunded mandate
Parties stipulated to dismiss challenge to state legislative and congressional districts
