Allegiant Stadium Becomes Nevada’s Busiest Polling Site
Allegiant Stadium made history during the 2024 election. It became Nevada’s most popular voting location. Over 4,200 people cast ballots there on Election Day.
The success has prompted discussions about expanding to more venues. State officials are considering iconic Vegas locations as polling sites for 2026.
Who Voted at the Stadium
The Harvard Kennedy School studied the Allegiant Stadium voting experiment. Their report shows some surprising patterns.
First-time voters made up a large portion of stadium voters. About 35 percent had never cast a ballot before. Other Clark County polling places saw only 20 percent first-time voters.
The age difference was striking too. Stadium voters averaged 10 years younger than people voting elsewhere. More than half were between 18 and 39 years old. They were also two years younger than people who didn’t vote at all.
Nonpartisan voters made up the biggest group at 37 percent. Democrats followed at 33 percent. Republicans were 23 percent of stadium voters.
The Election Day Experience
Voters got more than just a place to cast ballots. They could take photos with Raiderettes cheerleaders. Music played throughout the day. Team mascots greeted people in line.
Wait times stayed short despite the crowds. The stadium set up 98 voting machines and 26 poll pads across the venue. This spread out the crowds effectively.
Everyone got special Allegiant Stadium “I Voted” stickers. These became popular souvenirs from the day.
“Allegiant Stadium provided not just a voting site, but a celebration of civic participation,” said Tova Wang from Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
Security Was Tight
The Harvard study found the stadium was probably Nevada’s most secure polling location. Security guards stayed on duty 24 hours a day from Sunday through Election Day.
The entire stadium was locked down for voting. Only people with special wrist bands could enter the polling area. The venue’s complete perimeter fencing made unauthorized access nearly impossible.
“It’s nearly impossible to just walk into the stadium,” said Lilah Haye, a Raiders community relations specialist.
Who Paid the Bills
The financial details surprised many observers. The Raiders covered most of the $50,000 total cost. This matched what the team typically spends on other community events.
The NFL chipped in $5,000 for the custom stickers. Clark County paid nothing extra for the arrangement.
This made the stadium option cheaper than many traditional polling locations. Schools and community centers often charge rental fees or require extra security.
Potential New Venues Under Discussion
Officials are exploring several famous Vegas spots as potential polling locations for 2026.
The Sphere has emerged as a top possibility. The massive entertainment venue sits prominently on the Strip. Its unique design would certainly grab attention.
Formula One paddocks could also open their doors on Election Day. The race circuit brings its own excitement and brand recognition.
Other major sports venues around the city are being discussed as well. There’s talk of partnerships with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, WNBA teams, and Major League Baseball venues.
Questions About Implementation
The expansion plans raise several practical questions. Costs for securing and staffing large entertainment venues could be significant.
The Sphere would need entirely different security arrangements than Allegiant Stadium. Its location on the busy Strip creates unique challenges.
Formula One facilities might only be available during certain times of year. Race schedules could conflict with election dates.
The success at Allegiant Stadium involved cooperation between multiple organizations. The Raiders, NFL, Clark County, and state officials all worked together. Replicating that partnership across several venues may prove difficult.
Keeping Politics Out
The Harvard study noted something important about the Allegiant Stadium experiment. The Raiders deliberately avoided working with partisan voter groups. This kept the event nonpartisan.
Other sports venues might face pressure from political organizations. Maintaining neutrality could become harder as more venues get involved.
The NFL’s league-wide voting initiative helped provide cover for the Raiders. Other sports leagues might not offer the same support.
Mixed Results From the Data
The Harvard study shows the stadium attracted many first-time and younger voters. But the overall impact on statewide turnout was limited.
Nevada’s 2024 turnout didn’t dramatically exceed other states without stadium voting. This suggests the venues may shift where people vote rather than creating entirely new voters.
The long-term voting habits of first-time stadium voters haven’t been tracked yet. Whether they’ll continue participating in future elections is unknown.
Stadium voting might work better in presidential years than midterms. The 2026 test will show if the novelty holds up without a high-profile race.
Why 2026 Could Be Different
The next election won’t have a presidential race. Midterm elections typically see lower turnout than presidential contests.
All six state constitutional offices will be on the ballot. County commission and city council races will also be decided. These local elections often get less media attention.
Whether flashy venues can maintain their appeal without a presidential race remains unclear. The excitement factor might not translate to smaller elections.
The Broader Picture
The stadium voting experiment reflects changing attitudes about elections. Younger voters seem to respond well to non-traditional settings.
Traditional polling places like schools and community centers still handle most voters. But creative venues might help reach people who typically skip elections.
The key question is whether the benefits justify the costs and complications. Election officials must balance innovation with practical concerns about security and logistics.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
