Nevada State Democratic Party
MEMO


To: Interested Parties

From: Alana Mounce, NV Dems Executive Director

Date: November 18, 2020

Subject: Democrats’ Success in Nevada the Result of Strategic Organizing

Despite the challenges of a worldwide pandemic, the Nevada State Democratic Party did the work, virtual and in-person, to elect Democrats and secure the presidency for Joe Biden. Nevada is a battleground state critical to winning the White House and because of the dedication and strategic work of the state party to win up and down the Silver State, Democrats defeated an incumbent president–something that has only ever happened a handful of times–and elected the first woman and person of color to the office of Vice President.

Through robust voter education, a dogged field program, an expansive voter protection team, and a historic ballot cure program, NV Dems held majorities in both legislative houses, three of four congressional seats, and carried Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to victory.

NV Dems Wrote the Playbook for Organizing During a Pandemic

In early March, NV Dems quickly adapted to the circumstances of a global health crisis and transitioned to a virtual organizing program through calls, text messages, social media outreach, virtual town halls, literature drops and relational organizing. After in-person work began in the late fall, organizers and volunteers safely hit the doors to close out the cycle with crucial face-to-face conversations.

Across the final four months, NV Dems:

Recruited nearly 10,000 volunteers
Knocked more than 600,000 doors
Lit dropped nearly 50,000 doors
Made more than 7.1 million calls
Sent more than 4 million text messages

A Months-Long Voter Education Program Encouraged Turnout in a Unique Election

Following the passage of Assembly Bill 4 and drastically changing the way Nevadans vote, NV Dems launched a robust voter education program to ensure every eligible Nevadan knew how to make their voice heard at the ballot box. The Nevada Victory team kicked off the program with bilingual public service announcements from elected officials and community leaders to encourage participation by mail and in person. NV Dems created a bilingual website as a resource for voters with key dates, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about each voting option.

Nevada Democrats also offered a 24/7 multilingual voter protection hotline to answer voters’ questions in English, Spanish, and Tagalog, and act as a resource for reporting and resolving any voting issues in real time. Across the final few months, the voter protection team responded to more than 4,000 calls.

Constituency Outreach Efforts Were Critical to Our Path to Victory

Nevada is a majority-minority state and no campaign can be successful without meaningful, strategic outreach targeted at each unique constituency group. Our campaign thrived with carefully cultivated, cross-departmental outreach programs for Latino, African American, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), and Native American voters. Rather than siloing outreach work to a political or coalitions program, each department of the campaign worked to contribute to reaching these voters, from organizing to operations.

We went everywhere to talk to Latino voters, drawing community members to voting locations through horse parades, Zumba events, banda concerts, and Dia de los Muertos celebrations; spending hundreds of hours at Cardenas and Broadacres sharing voting information; and traversing Las Vegas with multiple Latino car caravans. The strength and reach of our African American engagement could be felt both virtually and in-person. In addition to hosting dozens of events, our virtual events collectively garnered tens of thousands of views. 

These virtual events included Sister to Sister conversations between Black women about their concerns and hopes for the country and weekly Shop Talk Series beginning in September which focused on candid conversations about the struggles facing Black men. 

We broke new ground in reaching AAPI voters. For the first time in Nevada, we instituted specialized field outreach efforts including weekly FilAm phonebanks led by community leaders and hosted dozens of virtual AAPI events featuring speakers such as Nevada’s First Lady Kathy Sisolak, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan, and Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen.

We built our Native American organizing program on a strong foundation laid by the NV Dems Native American Caucus. We focused on lifting up Native American voices to shine a light on the unique issues facing Nevada’s tribal communities and the need for a leader in the White House dedicated to addressing these issues.

We also included tribal voices in non-native-specific events such as the Build Back Better Rural Roadshow with Chairman Amber Torres as a panelist along with Patricia Ackerman and Kimi Cole, our Rural Chat and Chew organizing meetings, and a press conference pushing back on the Trump administration’s harmful policies. 

During the early voting period, we embarked on visibility campaigns at both the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony early vote sites to drive turnout to those locations. Efforts included volunteer presence, hiring Native vendors, and partnering with local high school students as well as elected officials and tribal chairs such as Chairman Arlan Melendez and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Councilwoman Janet Davis to serve as local validators.

The Soul of the Nation bus visited Walker River Paiute, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony,  Pyramid Lake Paiute across three days to help us reach more voters, hand out shirts, signs and other campaign gear that provided supporters the visibility to encourage friends and supporters to turn out and vote for the Biden/Harris ticket. During the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony visit, Chair Arlan Melendez publicly endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket, validating the campaign to tribal members.

In a Majority-Mail Election with a Close Margin, NV Dems Executed a Statewide Ballot Cure Program

Protecting every vote meant ensuring every eligible vote counted. As soon as mail voting began, NV Dems called, texted and knocked on the doors of Nevadans whose ballot had been rejected to help facilitate the cure process.

Beginning in October and until the ballot cure deadline, NV Dems:

Recruited more than 1,300 ballot cure volunteers
Made nearly 50,000 calls to Nevadans with rejected ballots
Knocked more than 12,000 doors
Sent 9,000 ballot cure texts  
Cured more than 5,500 ballots

Together, NV Dems, our labor partners, community organizers and issue advocacy groups knocked on more than 1.2 million doors up and down the state in the final stretch, overcoming the circumstances of a global pandemic and Republicans’ months-long advantage of in-person organizing. And through constituency-specific outreach tailored to our diverse state, Democrats were able to turnout enough voters in Nevada to make the difference.

With majorities in both legislative houses and new leadership in the White House, Democrats are ready to put in the work on behalf of Nevada families in 2021. Together we will help our state and country recover and build back better.

Selected Nevada State Democratic Party/Biden Campaign Communications Showing Examples of Activity Leading Up to the Nov. Election

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Nevada State Democratic Party
July 27, 2020

WITH 100 DAYS TO GO, NV DEMS ENGAGE VOTERS ACROSS THE STATE DURING WEEKEND OF ACTION

For the second weekend in a row, NV Dems hosted a weekend of action to engage Nevadans across the state and underscore the urgency of the November election. With just under 100 days until Election Day, field organizers and volunteers hosted our largest weekend of action of the cycle.

Joined by Congresswoman Susie Lee, candidate for Congressional District 2 Patricia Ackerman, Attorney General Aaron Ford, State Senator Yvanna Cancela, and Assemblywomen Brittney Miller and Connie Munk, Nevada Democrats underscored the Silver State’s critical role in the November election and the work needed to win up and down the ballot. The organizing team hosted statewide textbanks and regional phonebanks to talk to voters about the issues that matter most to them and their families. From health care to economic recovery, Nevadans are ready to elect a president who will put hardworking families first.

In recent weeks, NV Dems coordinated campaign has expanded our team with Biden for President adding staff to the Nevada operation to continuing to grow our field operation and hire new field organizers.

“We hear this all the time, but there really is too much at stake to sit this election cycle out,” said Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. “Since being elected to serve as Nevada’s Attorney General, I’ve had to fight the Trump administration tooth and nail just to protect some of our most basic civil rights. From working to stop Trump’s continued attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to his dangerous anti-immigrant policies, to his opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, I’ve been fighting Trump in the courts on behalf of Nevadans from day one. But rather than fighting these harmful policies, we should be working towards progress by expanding these rights and that is why we will elect Joe Biden and Democrats up and down the ticket in November.”

“We have our work cut out for us in November, but with a stellar team who knows how to win, we’re in the best possible position we could be with just 100 days left to go,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Winning in Nevada takes hard work, dedication, and a strong ground game–it’s how we flipped this seat to Democrats in 2016, and how we kept it in Democratic hands in 2018. Now, in 2020, we’re working to ensure we grow our Democratic majority in the House and flip the Oval Office. After the chaos of this administration, it’s time we get Washington back to working–that means ending the partisan gridlock and delivering real results for Nevada’s families.”

Nevada State Democratic Party
July 27, 2020

WITH 100 DAYS TO GO, TRUMP CAMPAIGN POSITIONED TO LOSE

Election Day is now 100 days away and Donald Trump couldn’t be in a better position to lose in November. He’s demonstrated to the country how ineffective of a leader he is when it comes to navigating our country through a crisis. Nevadans have disproportionately felt the brunt of his chaotic, misguided handling of coronavirus.

From the beginning, Trump has been ineffective in addressing the current global health crisis. His policies have benefited the wealthy and large corporations while leaving hardworking families behind.

He downplayed the virus in its early stages instead of supplying our front line workers with the necessary equipment. He blamed others for its spread instead of taking responsibility for his own inaction. And he continued working to implement his dangerous agenda which made the effects of a global pandemic far worse for the most vulnerable Americans.

Rather than provide states with the equipment and tools needed to fight a pandemic, Trump left governors to fend for themselves

Trump undermined states’ response to coronavirus by failing to offer a coherent national strategy, threatening to hold federal aid hostage, attacking scientific authorities, and insisting the coronavirus would simply “disappear.”

Last month, Governor Sisolak slammed Trump after the president claimed he would slow testing down. And just last week, Trump called testing “overrated,” saying it “makes us look bad.” Both Democrats and Republicans agree Trump needs to do more. During this month’s challenging special session, Nevada’s state legislature passed a bipartisan resolution requesting the federal government provide additional aid. Instead, as Congress debates the next coronavirus relief package this week, the White House is trying to block billions of dollars that could help states combat the virus.

Despite trying to focus his campaign on the economy, Trump’s administration has left millions jobless

Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, our state was forced to make devastating budget cuts, yet Trump still hasn’t committed to renewing much needed UI benefits.

Trump has led us into the greatest recession since the Great Depression. Trump told us that he would be “the greatest jobs president God ever created,” but under his leadership, the U.S. has lost 7.8 million jobs. As millions of unemployed Americans looked to Congress for continued relief, Trump continues to push a payroll tax cut that wouldn’t help those most in need. From his disastrous Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to his current handling of the pandemic, Trump continuously sides with corporations over working people.

And as this health crisis rages on, Trump continues his fight to repeal the ACA without a replacement plan

While we’re faced with a global health crisis and many without work have also lost their employment-paid health insurance, Trump is still determined to “terminate health care” entirely. Due to the consequences of the global pandemic, an additional 27,000 people could lose their coverage if the Trump Administration had their way and the ACA was invalidated by the courts. Ultimately, this could leave more than 300,000 Nevadans and 23 million Americans without care.

At the crux of their war against health care is Trump and Republicans’ attack on protections for patients with pre-existing conditions; fighting to end these protections in court as the virus continues to plague the U.S. If not for Nevada Democrats’ work to make these protections permanent last year, 25% of Nevadans could face denial of coverage by insurers.

The Bottom Line

The Trump campaign is working desperately to spin their ability to win over Nevada voters, but the reality is this administration’s policies have left so many Nevada families worse off; during a pandemic no less. As deaths increase to 1,000 a day, Americans are worried. According to recent polling, 64% of Americans do not trust Trump’s handling of coronavirus.


Nevada State Democratic Party

MEMO
To:
 Interested Parties
From: Shelby Wiltz, Coordinated Campaign Director
Date: June 22, 2020
Subject: Primary Election Underscores Democratic Momentum Heading Into 2020 General Election
 
The Nevada State Democratic Party has held onto a strong position heading into the 2020 general election, with a unified ticket of qualified Democrats on the ballot and a voter registration advantage larger than both 2016 and 2018 election cycles when Democrats flipped seats up and down the ticket.

Democratic enthusiasm was on full display in the primary election and NV Dems is doing the work to carry this momentum through to November. The State Party continues to build out our field program, hiring new organizers each week and continuing the work we’ve been doing on the ground for the past year. We are known for our ground game and we will show the country why in November--from training volunteer leaders, to finding creative new ways to register voters, to utilizing digital organizing tools to reach Nevadans to limit physical contact. 
 
NV Dems continue to expand our electorate across the state

  • Democrats now have a 6% advantage among registered voters in the state
  • Among registered voters in Clark County, Republicans are now comparable to a third party 
  • In 2020, Democrats out registered Republicans in swing Washoe County and now hold an advantage among active registered voters for the first time in a decade
Despite few competitive primaries, Democrats outpaced Republicans in turnout

  • Statewide, Democrats led in overall turnout by more than 16,000 votes
  • In swing Washoe County, Democrats led Republicans in overall turnout 
  • Over 66,000 more Democrats participated in the 2020 primary election compared to the 2018 election and over 110,000 more Democrats compared to 2016
  • In 10 of 17 counties, Democratic turnout went up compared to the last two primary elections 
  • Democratic engagement in a majority of Nevada’s rural counties increased from both 2016 and 2018 primary elections
Democrats earned a larger share of support in their primaries compared to Republicans

  • Susie Lee earned nearly double the amount of votes Dan Rodimer earned in the primary, cruising to victory with more than 82% support among Democrats
  • Steven Horsford earned nearly triple the number of voters compared to his opponent Jim Marchant who couldn’t even crack 40% support
Bottom line

NV Dems are in the strongest position we’ve ever been heading into a general election and an energized base will carry us to victory in 2020.

Nevada State Democratic Party

MEMO

To: Interested Parties
From: Alana Mounce, Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Director
Date: May 04, 2020
Subject: Six Months Out, NV Dems Enter General Election in Strong Position

The Nevada State Democratic Party has worked for nearly a year to lay the foundation for a successful general election and with Vice President Joe Biden now the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee, NV Dems is working full-speed ahead to November.

As a competitive swing state, we understand the work needed to win up and down the ballot. It is how our party has remained successful the past two cycles: through dogged, methodical organizing. From volunteer recruitment, to voter registration, to building a diverse, multilingual field team, we are prepared to win again in 2020.

NV Dems began organizing nearly a year ago and because of earlier engagement with Nevada voters, we are in the strongest position Democrats have ever been at this point in a general election.

Key Battleground State
The road to the White House undoubtedly runs through Nevada and, in 2020, so does the path to retaining a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.

POLITICO rated Nevada a toss up for both the presidential election and swing Congressional District 3 and Cook Political Report rated Congressional District 3 a competitive contest that leans Democratic.
 

Competitive History
In 2016, NV Dems edged out Republicans statewide electing Hillary Clinton by two points, Catherine Cortez Masto to the U.S. Senate by two points, and flipping Congressional District 3 by less than two points--a district Donald Trump won by one point.

The State Party was successful due in large part to a robust field operation as well as early national investment.

Statewide

CD3

Hillary Clinton
47.92%
Donald Trump
48%
Donald Trump
45.50%
Hillary Clinton
47%
Catherine Cortez Masto
47.1%
Jacky Rosen
47.23%
Joe Heck
44.6%
Danny Tarkanian
45.96%

Early Investment 
NV Dems isn’t just building off of the momentum of our First in the West Caucus, we’re building off of the team we assembled for the caucus. We started earlier than ever, hiring a talented team to put on a successful caucus and are growing the team over the next few months.

Earlier this year, NV Dems was named part of the DNC’s Battleground Build Up program which is helping the State Party expand our organizing team and hire operations and data staff.

The DCCC named Representatives Steven Horsford (CD-4) and Susie Lee (CD-3) to their Frontline program, indicating their support in these swing districts and underscoring the need to hold on to these seats to protect our Democratic majority in the House.

Additionally, the DNC and House Majority PAC made early ad reservations in Nevada on both television and digital mediums.

General Election Programs
NV Dems is growing our field operation in order to strengthen our ground game--just last week, we hired six new field organizers and one new regional organizing director. The State Party is implementing programs as we work from home to practice social distancing and build out our volunteer universe.

Coordinated Campaign
The State Party is building out a coordinated campaign to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. A coordinated campaign allows candidates and the party to pool our resources and streamline efforts. From the State Legislature to the White House, this team will provide Democrats with the support they need to ID supporters and turn them out in November. The coordinated team will be an expansion of our caucus team.

Voter Registration
When it comes to registered voters, Democrats are now in the strongest position we’ve ever been in heading into a general election. Statewide, Democrats have a nearly 6% statewide advantage. Among active registered voters, Democrats lead Republicans for the first time in a decade in Washoe County and in Clark County, Republicans’ deficit has left the GOP comparable to a third party.

NV Dems continue to find new ways to register voters under our current circumstances--from online voter registration challenges to voter registration trainings, to including paper registration forms in our food and supply deliveries for those unable to register online. We’ve also partnered with local businesses still offering delivery to provide paper registration forms to customers.

Volunteer Organizer Bootcamp
NV Dems is identifying and recruiting volunteer-organizers to become self-sufficient organizers in their own right. This bootcamp provides high-quality training to educate our most passionate and dedicated volunteers of all experience levels on the same tools provided to field staff. This prepares volunteer-organizers to engage their own communities and networks to help expand the State Party’s reach across the state and provide Democrats up and down the ballot with the support they need to win. 

Additional trainings such as How to Register to Vote Online and How to Volunteer in a Virtual Test Bank are available on our website along with digital training tools at nvdems.com/training-nevada/.