Allegiant Stadium was Nevada’s most popular voting location during the 2024 election, demonstrating the potential of sports venues to boost voter turnout, according to a new report from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. More than 4,200 Nevadans cast their ballots at Allegiant Stadium during the November election, which served as a polling location in partnership with the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, the Clark County Election Department, and the secretary of state’s office.
The data revealed that Allegiant Stadium attracted a higher proportion of young, nonpartisan, and first-time voters compared to other polling sites in Clark County. Of those who voted at the stadium, 35 percent were first-time voters—significantly higher than the 20 percent reported at other locations. Additionally, voters at Allegiant were on average 10 years younger, with 52 percent between the ages of 18 and 39. Nonpartisan voters made up the largest group at 37 percent, followed by Democrats at 33 percent and Republicans at 23 percent.
On Election Day, the stadium offered a unique, engaging atmosphere with short wait times and opportunities for voters to interact with the Raiders cheerleaders, fostering a positive and festive experience. Tova Wang, director of research projects in democratic practice at the Ash Center, noted that the partnership with the Raiders and the stadium transformed voting into a civic celebration, drawing in individuals who might not otherwise have participated.
Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar credited the success to the stadium’s strong brand and community presence, emphasizing the ability of sports organizations to engage the public. Aguilar hopes to expand this model in the 2026 midterm elections by partnering with other major Las Vegas venues, such as the Formula 1 paddocks and Sphere, as well as organizations like the UFC, WNBA, and Major League Baseball.
Aguilar has already received interest from sports executives about hosting polling sites in the future. He believes leveraging the city’s powerful brands can help increase civic engagement, especially in midterm elections, which historically see lower turnout than presidential years. The 2026 election will include all six state constitutional offices and key local races, serving as an important test ahead of Nevada’s expected battleground status in the 2028 presidential election.
Aguilar summed up the initiative by saying, “The more we can get people to participate, the better off we’re going to be.”
