One thing is certain: Donald Trump will increase his lead against Nikki Haley in the race for the White House.
And this, without even fighting a battle.
This atypical situation, to say the least, is explained by a specific electoral system which creates confusion in this western American state.
Republican residents are in fact offered not one possibility of voting to decide between the candidates, but two: first a primary on Tuesday, then caucuses on Thursday, that is to say local assemblies of voters during which designated the party champion.
In 2021, former Democratic Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak signed a law into law in 2021 establishing a primary vote, replacing the traditional caucuses held in the state for years.
This primary should make it possible to increase the number of voters who vote, whatever the place, time or form, for example with the option of the postal ballot.
Conversely, during caucuses, organized by the party, the physical presence of voters is necessary in a specific location and at a specific time.
Disgruntled anti-Trump conservatives
The problem is that Donald Trump, who still disputes his 2020 defeat against Joe Biden, has always denounced voting by mail which he has likened to a scheme to manipulate the results.
As a result, the Republican Party of Nevada, which is under the influence of the former president in the campaign, refused the idea of this primary by maintaining caucuses two days later.
But the most surprising thing is that the party banned any candidate aligned in the primary from participating in the caucuses.
Result: Nikki Haley appears on the primary ballot on Tuesday, without Donald Trump.
And Donald Trump is on the caucus ballot Thursday, without Nikki Haley.
But since only the caucuses determine which candidate receives the support of party delegates, Trump will recover the entire stake with 26 delegates.
Even before this election, the anti-Trump conservatives are already looking gloomy.
“There is no point in participating in the caucus.
I can’t vote for my candidate,” laments Charles Fruit, a supporter of Nikki Haley, quoted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“They're basically taking away my right to vote.
And this is happening in my own Republican Party.
I am very unhappy.”
The results of the primaries, both Republican and Democratic, are expected early this evening in the United States and those of the Republican caucuses will be announced on Thursday.