Jon Ralston , the CEO and editor of The Nevada Independent, warned that Democrats might be in “big trouble” on Wednesday morning as a result of the lead Republicans have built up over the first few days of early voting in the state .
According to turnout numbers crunched by Ralston, registered Republicans have cast almost 14,000 more votes than Democrats since the early voting window opened on October 19. Most of the Republican advantage is attributable to the GOP’s domination in rural counties, where they have built up a firewall of more than 16,500 votes. But Republicans also hold a turnout advantage of 2,204 votes in Washoe County — the second biggest in the state — despite the fact that Joe Biden narrowly won it over Donald Trump four years ago.
In Clark County, by far the most populous county in the state, Democrats have built up a lead of a little over 5,039 votes. Biden won Clark Country by more than 9% against Trump four years ago.
Altogether, Democrats have just a one-point advantage over Republicans in the two urban counties where they have to run up the numbers in order to win the state, while the GOP boasts a 37.5% lead in rural areas.