Podcast
Ballot Battleground: Nevada
Hosted by KRNV · EN
Ballot Battleground: Nevada is a show where we take deep dives into the issues, people, policies and debates shaping Nevada politics in our critical swing state. Many voters find themselves confused or overwhelmed when they walk into the voting booth. Our goal is to explain the issues that matter most to everyday Nevadans so they're fully informed before casting their ballot.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A tearful goodbye and thank you
6d ago00:04:10Tap to summarizeAfter more than a decade in local television news, host Ben Margiott signs off from both News 4 Reno and Ballot Battleground: Nevada. In this final episode, Ben reflects on why the podcast was created, the mission of making Nevada politics more accessible, the incredible guests and listeners who made it possible, and what's next. It's a heartfelt thank you and farewell to everyone who joined the journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Washoe County asks voters: Should EV drivers pay more for roads? With RTC’s Bill Thomas
1w ago00:31:14Tap to summarizeAs more Nevadans switch to electric vehicles, one of the state's biggest transportation funding questions is becoming harder to ignore: who should pay for the roads everyone uses? Gas taxes have long funded road construction and maintenance, but EV drivers don't pay those taxes at the pump. Now, Washoe County voters will weigh in on an advisory ballot question asking whether electric vehicle and hybrid owners should contribute more toward road funding. This week, host Ben Margiott sits down with Regional Transportation Commission Executive Director Bill Thomas to explain how roads are funded today, why officials say the current system is becoming unsustainable, what other states are doing and what could happen depending on the results in November. Gas tax gap: Should Nevada electric vehicle drivers pay for the roads they use? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Supreme Court mail ballot ruling and Nevada's election results mishap with Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar
4w ago00:31:59Tap to summarizeThe Nevada primary is over, but the post-election news cycle is anything but quiet. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins Ballot Battleground: Nevada to break down a series of major developments shaping the state's elections. Host Ben Margiott and Aguilar discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing Nevada to continue counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, a federal court ruling blocking key provisions of a Trump administration executive order and what both decisions mean for voters. We also look back at Nevada's 2026 primary election, including turnout, the rollout of new ballot marking devices and how election results were inadvertently released early to some media outlets prematurely. Finally, Aguilar shares the latest on which ballot questions will appear before voters this November after several high-profile initiatives fell short. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Flippo, Benitez-Thompson advance in CD2 race and Nevada Governor matchup is set. Primary election recap with reporters Kim Burrows and Alisabeth Mitchell
Jun 1000:32:54Tap to summarizeNevada's 2026 primary election is over and the matchups for November's general election are set. David Flippo and Teresa Benitez-Thompson will face off in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. And, as expected, it'll be Aaron Ford challenging incumbent Joe Lombardo for Nevada Governor. Host Ben Margiott walks listeners through key state and local election results and chats with reporters Kim Burrows and Alisabeth Mitchell to hear their Election Night insights. From the new ballot counting process and the vibe inside the registrar's office to the experience on the ground at vote centers and watch parties, Ben, Kim and Alisabeth recap a busy primary Election Night. Full election results: https://silverstateelection.nv.gov/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Closed primaries, data centers and new ballot marking devices: Nevada primary election mailbag with Chris Murphy
Jun 300:31:48Tap to summarizePrimary Election Day 2026 is less than a week away and as Nevadans begin to vote both in person and by mail, they have questions. This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott and News 4-Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy open up the mailbag again to answer your listener questions about the primary. How do closed primaries work? Which contests will be decided before November? How much did Washoe County's new ballot devices cost? Which candidates oppose data centers? And does David Flippo still have a home in Las Vegas? Ben and Chris answer all those questions and more so voters are well-informed and prepared as they walk into the voting booth in the coming days. Washoe County election chief Andrew McDonald on turnover, voter rolls and … paper ballots? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →CD2 drama escalates as attacks ramp up, candidates drop out with The Nevada Independent’s Mini Racker
May 2700:31:26Tap to summarizeAttack ads, tight internal polling and late candidate dropouts. With in-person early voting underway in Nevada, it's crunch time for the 2026 primary election and in northern Nevada's most consequential race for the 2nd Congressional District, the drama is only intensifying. Ben Margiott talks with The Nevada Independent’s Mini Racker about the latest developments shaping one of Nevada’s marquee 2026 contests, including the collapse of alliances inside the anti-establishment lane, escalating attacks between Republican candidates and what we can glean from early voting. Plus, a quick look at the southern Nevada House races, including why President Donald Trump has waded into some races and not others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Voting in Nevada 101: Everything you need to know before casting a ballot with Washoe registrar Andrew McDonald
May 2000:31:43Tap to summarizePrimary election day in Nevada is less than three weeks away and thousands of mail ballots have already been cast. This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, we’re taking a break from candidate interviews and campaign issues to bring you a how-to guide for newer voters. Washoe County registrar of voters Andrew McDonald joins the show to answer all your top voting questions. We cover when and where you can vote, how Nevada’s closed primary system works, what you need to bring to the polls, and the different ways to cast your ballot — including mail voting, early voting and on Election Day. We also talk about new voting machines, accessibility improvements like curbside voting and have details on the new Washoe County 'I Voted' sticker. Whether you’re a first-time voter, recently moved or just need a refresher before June 9, this episode is designed to help you make a plan and cast your ballot with confidence. Know Your Candidates 2026: Full candidate interviews and race previews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Washoe DA Chris Hicks defends his record against ‘inexperienced’ challenger Duncan
May 1300:31:43Tap to summarizeFor the first time in his political career, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks faces a serious challenger — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On this week’s Ballot Battleground: Nevada, we continue our two-part deep dive into the Republican primary that will decide who serves as the county’s top prosecutor. This time: the incumbent’s case. Chris Hicks argues he deserves another four years, pointing to more than two decades as a prosecutor and his record leading the office since 2014. We press him on key issues in the race — including conflicting claims about crime trends, criticism over charging decisions, whether his office is declining cases that should be prosecuted and questions about ethics and nepotism because of his wife's employment. Wes Duncan’s case for Washoe DA: Crime, charging decisions and nepotism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Wes Duncan’s case for Washoe DA: Crime, charging decisions and nepotism
May 600:30:34Tap to summarizeFor the first time in Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks’ political career, he has a challenger — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On this week’s Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott begins a two-part deep dive into the Republican primary that will decide who serves as the county’s top prosecutor. First up: Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan, who makes his case to unseat Hicks, pointing to concerns about charging policies, his claims that crime is rising, and accusations of nepotism involving Hicks’ wife. Next week, we’ll bring you our full conversation with incumbent DA Chris Hicks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Inside the poll: Early numbers show dead heat in Nevada governor's race with Noble Predictive Insights
Apr 2900:31:14Tap to summarizeNevada’s 2026 governor’s race is already shaping up to be a nail-biter. A new poll shows Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo essentially tied with the likely frontrunner, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. Of course, a sizable share of undecided voters will be the deciding factor in the general election. On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott goes inside the numbers with Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive Insights, to break down what this early polling tells us—and what it doesn’t. Plus, a look at key down-ballot races and where voters stand on major ballot questions, including abortion rights and voter ID. NVGOV: Lombardo Keeps Pace with Ford as Undecideds Hold the Balance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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