Marchant Will Challenge Aguilar in Nevada Election
The state race for Secretary of State will feature Republican Jim Marchant and incumbent Francisco Aguilar in November.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Elections
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Republican candidate Jim Marchant will face incumbent Democrat Francisco Aguilar for the Nevada Secretary of State position in the November 2026 general election. Marchant secured his spot after winning the Republican primary with 33% of the vote.
Why it matters
The race highlights a national trend involving candidates who challenge established election systems, with nearly 200 such individuals expected on ballots nationwide. Marchant has campaigned on promises to repeal automatic DMV voter registration and end universal mail-in voting.
Official state finance reports released July 15, 2026, show Aguilar holds over $400,000 in campaign funds compared to Marchant's $1,000 total raised. By June 2026, Marchant reported only $13 in cash on hand.
The players
Jim Marchant
He is the Republican nominee for Nevada Secretary of State who previously lost the same race in 2022.
Francisco Aguilar
He is the incumbent Secretary of State of Nevada seeking reelection in the November 2026 contest.
Joe Lombardo
He is the current Governor of Nevada who signed legislation making the intimidation of election officials a felony.
The details
Marchant previously lost the 2022 Secretary of State race to Aguilar by two percentage points and has recently pivoted from a congressional campaign to this statewide contest. He maintains that the election system has been fraudulent since 2008, while incumbent Aguilar continues to manage state election administration.
Timeline
December 2020: Marchant stood with individuals who signed fake electoral college certificates.
2022: Marchant lost the initial Secretary of State race to Francisco Aguilar.
July 15, 2026: Official state campaign finance reports were released.
Mid-September 2026: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Trump administration order on mail-in ballots.
November 2026: The Nevada general election will take place.
Political Context
Opponents argue that Marchant's proposed changes to voter registration and mail-in voting would restrict ballot access for eligible Nevadans. Democratic groups and civil rights advocates contend these policies undermine the democratic process established by the Help America Vote Act.
The outcome of this race determines who will manage Nevada's voter registration database and election certification processes in future cycles. Voters may see changes to mail-in ballot procedures and DMV registration access depending on the victor's success in implementing their agenda.
The takeaway
Nevada voters are facing a choice between two distinct approaches to state election management in the upcoming general election. Residents should review candidate positions on registration and mail-in voting to understand potential changes to their local voting experience.
Further reading
For more information on state ballot measures and candidate platforms, visit the Nevada Elections portal.
Live Poll
Should a candidate's claims about election integrity determine your vote for local election official?
