2026 Candidate Filing Period Opens in Nevada

The 2026 election cycle officially begins Monday as Nevada candidates start filing to run for state and local office across the Silver State.

While judicial candidates filed during a separate period in January, the state’s non-judicial candidate filing window opens Monday, March 2, and runs through Friday, March 13. The majority of candidates for partisan and local offices must file during that timeframe.

As of Monday morning, more than 230 candidates had filed to run for political office in Nevada. That number should climb into the several hundreds by the close of the filing period.

The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office is updating its candidate list on a rolling basis as filings are processed.

Among the early filers is Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, who officially filed for re-election Monday morning. Hicks is widely expected to face a competitive race, with Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan anticipated to challenge him, though Duncan had not yet formally filed as of Monday morning.

In Northern Nevada, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong and Lyon County Sheriff Brad Pope both filed for re-election in their respective counties.

In Reno, two prominent candidates entered the mayoral race on the first day of filing. Former Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall and Reno City Councilwoman Kathleen Taylor both officially filed on Monday morning. Incumbent Mayor Hillary Schieve is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, setting up an open-seat contest in one of the state’s largest cities.

The 2026 cycle also marks the implementation of a new regulation expanding how candidates may use campaign contributions.

Nevada law allows candidates to spend campaign funds on personal security-related expenses, now. Permitted purchases now include firearms and ammunition, holsters, slings, lockboxes, locks, and suppressors.

Candidates may also use funds for marksmanship training or instruction, concealed carry application fees, personal defense classes, body armor, home security systems, and other security-related items. State officials have stated the change clarifies allowable expenses under campaign finance rules as candidates increasingly cite safety concerns.