Religious Voters and Political Influence in Nevada

Religious voters are three times more likely to vote than non-religious voters. In Nevada, religious groups such as evangelicals, Mormons, and Jews have significantly high voter turnout, estimated around 80–90%. Their strong participation often influences Nevada’s elections, typically decided by less than 2% margins.

Approximately 60% of Nevada adults identify as Christian (including 6% Mormons), 2% as Jewish, 1% as Muslim, 1% as Buddhist, and less than 1% as adherents of other religions. Nevada’s religiously unaffiliated voters, comprising about 35% of the electorate, exceed the national average of 29% and are concentrated in Las Vegas and Reno. Leaning Democrat, these non-religiously affiliated voters typically support left-wing policies but have lower voter turnout compared to religiously affiliated voters.

The Pew Research Center defines a "highly religious" individual as someone who frequently engages in practices such as worship and prayer and holds a strong belief in religious tenets. Mississippi leads as the most religious state, with 50% of its population meeting this criterion. In contrast, Nevada falls below the national average, with only about 20% of adults considered highly religious, while Vermont ranks as the least religious, with a large share of its population unaffiliated with any religion.

During the 2024 presidential election, Nevada’s religious voters, particularly evangelicals and Latino/Hispanic Protestants, were instrumental in flipping the state to Pres. Trump (R), securing his victory with support for his economic and border security policies. Similarly, in the 2022 gubernatorial race, these faith communities helped elect Gov. Lombardo (R) over Former Gov. Sisolak (D) by a 4% margin, drawn to his law-and-order stance and opposition to abortion expansions.

In Nevada’s tightly contested 2024 congressional race for the 3rd District, Rep. Susie Lee (D) secured victory by a slim 2.8% margin, with high-turnout religious voters playing a key role in the outcome. This underscores the outsized role faith communities play in the state’s battleground politics.

Though less numerous than Nevada’s Catholic, Mormon, and Jewish communities, Muslims and Buddhists are increasingly shaping the state’s political and cultural landscape with their left-leaning priorities. For example, Las Vegas Muslims publicly rallied for Rep. Dina Titus (D) due to her advocacy of refugee rights.

Frustration with Democratic Israel policies led some Muslim voters to support third-party candidates like Jill Stein (though she was later disqualified from Nevada’s ballot) or abstain, reducing Democratic turnout in diverse urban areas and indirectly aiding Trump’s rural-driven victory by a 3% margin.

Although Buddhists represent only 1% of Nevada’s population, their urban concentration in Las Vegas and tendency to vote Democratic (70-80%) on issues like social justice and immigration can add a few thousand critical votes to progressive coalitions, as seen in the 2020 presidential election (2.4% margin) and especially the 2022 U.S. Senate race, where Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) narrowly defeated Adam Laxalt (R) by 0.9% (7,189 votes), with non-Christian voters contributing to the outcome in Clark County.

Nevada’s Native American communities shape the state’s spiritual and cultural identity through their diverse sacred traditions. By exercising tribal sovereignty and engaging in advocacy grounded in their spiritual values, these communities influence policies on gaming regulations and land use, weaving a dynamic tapestry of faith and culture across Nevada.

Meanwhile, interfaith coalitions exemplify Nevada’s collaborative spirit, uniting Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders to tackle pressing issues like antisemitism, racial justice, and environmental stewardship. Initiatives in Reno and Las Vegas have fostered renewable energy policies and combated hate crimes, forging a shared sense of purpose across diverse faiths.

Nevada’s diverse faith communities, far from uniform, create a vibrant mosaic that significantly influences elections and legislation. As a powerful force, religious voters shape the state’s political landscape. With upcoming gubernatorial and legislative races, campaigns are expected to ramp up efforts to engage these groups, navigating the rise of secular trends. In Nevada, the unpredictable yet pivotal role of faith remains a key factor in the political arena.