LAS VEGAS -- Having been pummeled by political ads for months leading up to Election Night, it almost seems unfair that Nevada's six electoral votes were still being counted by the time President Barack Obama had surpassed 270 electoral votes to win the election.

That comes with the territory of being a western swing state, but Nevada serves a larger purpose in the political machine.  While not as infamous as Florida or as coveted as Ohio, the people and politics of Nevada point to not just the issues facing our country, but also to the political culture of the American people.

"Nevada's often been considered what they call a bellwether state," said Michael Green, College of Southern Nevada professor of history.  "Swing, yes, but a bellwether state in the sense you look to Nevada to see what the country's doing."

In the most recent election, this reflection came through in Nevada's economy and 11.8 unemployment rate being the worst in the country.  

It even provides one the most salient argument as to why the issue of money in politics needs greater attention; Casino hotshot Sheldon Adelson gave over $40 million dollars to the Republicans this year, facilitating the war of campaign ads that made TV almost unbearable to watch in Nevada.

"But it doesn't look like [Adelson] can win his home state," Green said after the presidential race was called last night. "Perhaps there is a message in this for all of us that voters ultimately really are the ones that go in there and push the buttons."

Not only do they push the buttons, but they push the right buttons.  In the past century, Nevada has picked the losing candidate only once when it backed Gerald Ford in the 1976 race against Jimmy Carter.

Obama's win on Tuesday night added to the state's winning streak, and from early projections of the swing state, the choice was obvious.

ALSO SEE: Early Votes In Nevada Point To Obama

What came down to the wire after last night's polls closed was the vote for U.S. Senate. While Democrats hoped for candidate Shelly Berkley to ride the coattails of Obama's victory, Republicans held firm support on the incumbent Harry Reid, who eventually took the seat.

"Sometimes people don't realize in a small state like Nevada, your U.S. Senator is your power," Green said.  "We have to worry about the Senate."

The misconception is held usually by people who move from larger states like California, who make up a bulk of the population in cities like Reno and Las Vegas, Green said. Nevada is largely a transient state with the majority of people coming rather than going, and they bring with them a collection of political ideologies.

What defined this year's election for Nevadans were the numbers of early voters and Latino voter registration. In Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, Latino voter registration went up by 18,067 this year.

ALSO SEE: Obama Gets Popular Vote At Las Vegas Polls

Local unions, such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), were the primary force behind this movement, sending volunteers out to Latino neighborhoods in Clark County to register voters and help them get to the polls.

"This is a union that in some ways is the model for modern unionization," Green said. "People come here to be a part of that."

ALSO SEE: Nevada Unions Make Final Push To Mobilize Voters

The diligent volunteers had to be a part of union efforts, and efforts by groups like Obama for America proved that hard, honest work can beat out billionaires like Sheldon Adelson.  

And if you don't agree that Nevada reflects the country's greater problems, at least hope it reflects the greater population.

"Despite feeling like we were being tortured by campaign commercials, people here really do care," Green said. "And whatever the outcome, that's heartening."

ALSO SEE: Obama Nevada Campaign Volunteers Explain Their Pitch To Voters

 

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of the 2012 election here.

Reach Staff Reporter Lauren Foliart here.