Why Are Democrats and Republicans In These Contests?

When a candidate is nominated by more than one political party, that is referred to as "cross-nomination." This year many familiar names, both Republicans and Democrats, including many incumbents, are seeking the Independent Party cross-nomination. They have told us that, if nominated by the members of the Independent Party, they will use the Independent Party label in addition to the major party name on the general election ballot. They can list more than one nominating party on the ballot under the ballot design changes adopted by the 2009 Legislature.

Because of the overwhelming interest in the Independent Party nominations and cross-nominations, the Nominating Caucus accepted all timely filed requests for cross-nomination by Democrat and Republican candidates.

Why is My Preferred Democrat or Republican or Other Candidate Not on The Ballot?

If there is a major party primary winner or any other person whose name does not appear on the Independent Party ballots, it is because that person did not apply for the Independent Party nomination by June 2 of this year. Our application forms were available and posted on our website since January 2009. We contacted over 340 press outlets and also informed the legislative caucuses and their leaders of the application process several times before June 2.

We did not play favorites or exclude any candidate who sought cross-nomination by the deadline. We are letting you decide who to nominate to carry the Independent Party label on the November ballot.

What is Cross-nomination?

"Cross-nomination" is a term used when a candidate accepts the nomination of more than one political party. "Nomination" is the official act of a recognized political party which places the name of a candidate on the general election ballot. A candidate must formally accept the nomination of a minor political party by filling out a form with the Secretary of State.

"Nomination" or "cross-nomination" is not the same as an "endorsement." Endorsement has no statutory definition, and it has come to mean some sort of approval process by a person or group.

Is Cross-Nomination a New Idea?

No, it is the Oregon tradition. In Oregon, candidates could always be nominated by more than one political party.

Sometimes the same candidate wins her own primary and also wins the other major party primary by write-in votes. She is cross-nominated. Sometimes a minor party and a major party nominate the same candidate using their own nomination processes. For example, Oregon Governor Pennoyer was nominated by both the Democrats and the Peoples Party (populists) in 1894.

For most of the first hundred years of statehood, Oregon ballots would show such multiple nominations, but the ballot design was changed in 1954 to show only one party nomination on the general election ballot.

In 2009 the Legislature changed the design of the November general election ballots so that a candidate who has accepted more than one party nomination may list up to 3 such nominations on the ballot.

Can I Write-In Another Choice?

Yes. You can write in the name of someone who did not apply for nomination. The write-in votes will be counted. If a write-in candidate receives the highest number of votes cast in a race, that person will be declared the winner. He or she will have the choice of accepting the nomination. The Secretary of State will apply the statutory standards to consider whether that candidate will appear on the ballot (such as a residency requirement for a Legislature candidate, if applicable).

If you do want to write in a name, type in the name at the "write-in" line. Do not check “None of the Above.” Your write-in will count as a candidate choice.

What Does "None of the Above" Mean?

Choosing "None of the Above" on the contest for a race means you do not believe the Independent Party should nominate any of the persons whose names appear on the ballot and that you do not have a write-in choice.

"None of the Above" is a voter preference currently available in Nevada primary and general elections. "None of the Above" cannot "win" an election--the candidate with the highest number of votes cast will be declared the winner. However, the number of "None of the Above" votes will tend to show voter dissatisfaction and is an alert to the winning candidate.

The issues survey which accompanies the voting asks whether Independent Party members wish to continue to see this choice on future ballots.