On April 1, the Nevada Senate Legislative Operations & Elections Committee heard testimony on SB 421 and SB 499. SB 421 would establish presidential primaries, to replace the caucuses. SB 499 would establish a top-two primary, although the name of the bill suggests it is a blanket primary. The committee did not vote on either bill; the hearing was just for the purpose of taking testimony.
The Nevada Republican Party sent an officer who said that the party does not support either bill. The only witness who testified in favor of the top-two bill was Doug Goodman. This particular top-two bill is unusual because it says that if the top two vote-getters in the June primary are from the same party, but there are candidates from other parties (or an independent), then the person who placed second would not advance to the general election. Instead, the next candidate in order of votes polled who was not from that same party would advance. Janine Hansen and Thomas Jefferson, both from the Independent American Party, testified against SB 499. The committee also kindly permitted Richard Winger to testify by telephone, and I also testified against it.