By Jason Guinasso

As a conservative Republican lawyer who has been actively engaged in politics for my entire adult life, including running for public office in 2016, I’ve had a front-row seat to the workings of our political system. Over the years, I’ve come to a sobering realization: when it comes to electing our leaders, we’re trapped in a cycle that was once defined as insanity – doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Our two-party system, once the bedrock of American democracy, now fits this definition all too well. We’re caught in a destructive loop, repeatedly electing leaders from the extreme ends of the political spectrum while hoping for unity and progress. It’s time we face the truth: this system is no longer serving the best interests of the American people, particularly here in Nevada.

Both major parties have failed us in protecting the democratic principles that should guide our elections. We need look no further than recent history for evidence. The events of January 6th, instigated by former President Trump, were a shocking departure from the peaceful transitions of power that have defined our republic. On the other side of the aisle, we witnessed Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee without a single primary ballot cast in her name – a process that, while legal, hardly embodies the spirit of democratic choice.

These aren’t isolated incidents, but symptoms of a deeper problem. Our current system increasingly produces candidates who represent the extreme views of our electorate. The moderate majority – the backbone of our nation – finds itself unrepresented and increasingly disillusioned. If we continue down this path, we risk falling into an abyss of hyperbolic partisan turmoil from which we may struggle to recover.

In Nevada, we are heading into a presidential general election where nonpartisan voters now outnumber those registered with either of the two major parties. This shift is not just a statistical anomaly; it’s a clear signal that more and more Nevadans have become disillusioned with the traditional party system.

Our fellow citizens are sending a message: they’re tired of being forced to choose between two parties that often fail to represent their values and priorities. They’re looking for alternatives, for a system that offers more nuanced choices and better representation. This trend towards nonpartisan registration is a silent protest against a political structure that increasingly feels out of touch with the needs and desires of everyday Nevadans.

Yet, despite this clear desire for change, our current electoral system continues to favor the two-party structure, effectively silencing this growing plurality of independent voices. In many of our primary elections, these nonpartisan voters find themselves shut out entirely, unable to participate in the crucial early stages of choosing their representatives. This is not just unfair; it’s a fundamental flaw in our democratic process.

However, we may now have the power to change this system and “break the wheel” of partisan gridlock and extremism. The solution appears to be in a new approach to elections, one that’s already showing promise in other states: a Top Five Nonpartisan Open Primary followed by a Ranked Choice Voting General Election. This is what is being presented to voters in Question 3 this November. 

The Nonpartisan Top Five Open Primary would standardize our primary election process. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would appear on a single ballot, and all voters would have the opportunity to participate. This simple change would have profound effects. Voters would no longer be limited to candidates from a single party – if you like a Democratic candidate for one office and a Republican for another, you’d have that choice. The top five candidates from this primary would then move on to the general election.

This system would put an end to the systemic voter suppression that comes from requiring membership in a private organization (a political party) to participate in taxpayer-funded elections. It would return power to the voters in nominating candidates, decreasing the influence of party insiders while still allowing parties to endorse and promote candidates as they see fit. 

Importantly, it would increase the diversity of candidates, giving voters more choice and a better chance of finding representatives who truly reflect their values.

The general election would then use Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). This system is simple and intuitive, much like the choices we make every day. Voters can choose to vote for just one candidate or rank as many as they like. This allows people to vote their conscience without fear of “wasting” their vote or inadvertently helping a candidate they oppose. No longer would we be forced to choose the “lesser of two evils” – we could support the candidates we truly believe in.

RCV ensures that the winning candidate has the widest possible support. It has also been shown to reduce negative campaigning, as candidates have an incentive to appeal to a broader base rather than just energizing their core supporters. 

Perhaps most importantly, it promotes a more collaborative legislative process. When legislators know they can’t be easily “primaried” by more extreme candidates, they’re free to work across the aisle and find real solutions that benefit all Nevadans.

I understand that change can be daunting and cause some people to fear, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as how we elect our leaders. But the evidence from places that have implemented these reforms, like Alaska, is encouraging. Voter participation has increased, elections have become more competitive, and the political discourse has become more civil and substantive.

As Nevadans, we pride ourselves on our independent spirit and our willingness to forge our own path. Now is the time to bring that spirit to our electoral system. By embracing these reforms, we can create a political environment that truly represents the will of the people, not just the loudest voices on either extreme.

To be sure, no system for electing leaders is perfect. There is always a trade-off in determining the winners and losers in any political system. But, our current system does not serve the interests or represent the values of a vast majority of the electorate, in my view, because it appeals to the most extreme partisans in our communities and leaves most moderates without a voice. The goal seems to be to achieve power and position for the sake of power and position, without any real plan to collaborate with other leaders to solve problems and improve the lives of people. As for debate, that lost art has been replaced by ad hominem attacks on a person’s character or by the hateful disparagement of certain groups. Further, we seem to have confused electing leaders who will lead with electing candidates who serve as proxies for whatever we fear and hate the most. 

We can’t keep engaging in the political process with the same conflict promoting rhetoric using the same political strategies and tactics election cycle after election cycle and expect a different result.

Question 3 presents an opportunity for change. Let’s seize this opportunity to reinvigorate our democracy and set an example for the nation. Together, we can break the wheel of partisan gridlock and build a political system that works for all Nevadans.

Jason Guinasso is a Reno attorney and pastor. The views expressed in this opinion are his own.

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