DENVER (AP) — Nevada is keeping its caucus system for 2016 after an effort to switch to presidential primaries failed.
Republicans pushed legislation to change to a primary system, but the state's legislative session ended without a vote on the bill to ditch the caucuses.
The caucuses are sparsely attended and that gives activists outsized influence because they are motivated to come out to attend them. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is seen to have the edge in the existing system because of his strong organization in the state.
A primary would attract a wider range of voters and could help well-funded candidates like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush met with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who supported legislation to change to a primary system. But the proposed switch fell victim to GOP divisions.
