WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Nevada gets the first-in-the-West primary election date for the 2024 presidential campaign season.

But the state’s process this year is certainly unique, with both Feb. 6 and Feb 8 on the calendar.

The intention of state lawmakers was to drop Nevada’s previous caucus method, as is used in Iowa during primary season, and adopt a state-run primary election. That election is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with both early in-person or by mail/absentee voting available.

But the Nevada Republican party opposed the plan and decided to continue caucuses within the party to allocate their delegates. The GOP caucuses are 5 to 7:30 p.m. local time Thursday.

The Nevada GOP also prohibited candidates who are running in the state primary from running in their caucuses, forcing individuals to choose one or the other when registering.

That being said, the state’s Republican voters may participate in both the Republican primary and caucuses.

The Democratic primary ballot includes President Joe Biden, author Marianne Williamson and 11 other candidates. U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is not on the ballot.

The Republican primary ballot, considered non-binding by the party, includes Nikki Haley, who's a former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor, along with former primary candidates Mike Pence and Tim Scott and four other GOP hopefuls.

Donald Trump, the former president, is not on the primary ballot.

The Republican caucuses will feature two candidates: Trump and Ryan Binkley, a pastor. Haley is not on the caucus ballot.

Write-in votes are not allowed in either the primary or the caucuses. But Nevada voters can choose during a primary to vote for “none of these candidates.”

That's why Nevada’s 36 Democratic delegates will be allocated in proportion to the primary vote Feb. 6, according to the national party’s rules.

And the state’s 26 Republican delegates will be allocated in proportion to the statewide caucus vote on Feb. 8.

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