The Environment Wins the 2020 Elections
Now it’s time to get to work with our elected champions to move forward on climate action and environmental protection.
In the 2020 general election, more Nevadans voted than ever before. More than 1.4 million Nevadans cast their ballots, compared with 976,000 in 2018 and 1.1 million voters in 2016 (All data from the Secretary of State website). Results were certified on November 16.
The results* show a mandate for environmental action, with 78% of Sierra Club endorsed candidates winning their races. The clear and obvious demonstration of this is the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at the top of the ballot. Biden has indicated he will move forward on a series of actions related to climate and the environment. Kamals Harris has made it clear she would side with the environment over special interests.
The chart below shows how well Sierra Club-endorsed candidates fared in their federal, state and local elections in Nevada. Several races were decided by only a handful of votes, relatively speaking: Our endorsed Senate candidate Kristee Watson lost by 329 votes; incumbent Senator Nicole Canizzarro won by 631 votes; and incumbent Reno City Council member Jenny Brekhus (Ward 1) won by a nail-biting 82 votes. This election proved, once again, that votes matter.
What does these results mean for Sierra Club’s work moving forward at state and local levels in Nevada?
The Toiyabe Chapter Legislative Committee is gearing up to work with these elected champions to move forward with meaningful policies to increase renewable energy, climate solutions, and environmental protection. At the county and municipal levels, we will be working with our champions to enact a Climate and Sustainability Plan in Clark County, and to implement the Climate Action Plan passed by Reno in 2019.
However, with the pandemic, the economic crisis hitting Nevada, and redistricting at the state level, these goals will need strong support to pass. Your grassroots support for renewable energy, sustainable urban design, electrified transportation, mining reform and environmental justice may be what tips the scales toward success for these solutions.
Sign up to join one of Toiyabe Chapter’s volunteer action teams to bring these solutions to reality.
And please consider donating to support our local work. Your support can make the difference for the future. Thank you!!
*Results remain unofficial until certified and confirmed by the Secretary of State and the Electoral College. Read more here about Nevada’s certification process.