by Michael W. Bowers.
University of Nevada Press, 2018
Nevada's History, Government, and Politics
Statehood was proclaimed October 31, 1864
The day before All Saints' Day
At the hand of the 16th U.S. President
Making the 36th state in the union Nevada
Not Washoe, nor Esmerelda or Humboldt
As some territorial delegates had proposed.
"In 150 years the state has gone from a Wild West, lawless region to a modern, urban one that offers opportunity to those willing to work for it. Nevada was among the first states in the nation to grant suffrage to women; to ratify the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution; to provide for workmen's compensation; to initiate a direct primary; and to put government in the hands of the people through initiative, referendum, and recall."
Traditionally a competitive two-party state
Nevada was dominated by Republicans
Before the Silver Democrats took over
Fighting vainly for free coinage for silver.
Following a 30-year span of split tickets
Democrats held most elected offices until the 1980s
When the Republicans had a resurgence
And now ticket splitting is again the norm
With voters siding with persons rather than parties.