Bills have passed committees in both houses of the Nevada legislature for a presidential primary, which would replace the state’s caucuses. SB 421 passed the Senate Legislative Operations & Elections Committee on April 10, and AB 302 passed the Assembly Legislative Operations & Elections Committee on April 9.
The Senate bill is more specific and provides for a presidential primary on the last Tuesday of February, which would be February 23 in 2016. It seems to allow any candidate to appear on the ballot just by filing a declaration of candidacy. Only parties with 10% of the registration would have a presidential primary. Candidates would file in November of the year before the election. The Senate bill is sponsored by the Committee. The Assembly bill is sponsored by the Assembly Speaker, John Hambrick. According to this story, the state Republican Party now wants a presidential primary. Both houses of the Nevada legislature have Republican majorities and the state has a Republican Governor.
The Senate bill would move the primary for non-presidential office from June to February, in all even-numbered years, even midterm years. The Assembly bill would not affect the June primary for non-presidential office.
Having to file to be on a primary ballot one year before the election is ridiculous. In so great a time period the candidates who do file so early could decease, or (worse) do something so disgusting (like commit a crime), or the economy or world situation change so much that there would be no opportunity for someone else who could or would address such matters to run in the primary. For the same reason, primaries are held far too early anyway.