Trump campaign wins court battle to keep polls open later in battleground state of Nevada

Judge Joe Hardy ruled an hour extension would be given in the state’s most populous county

The Trump campaign and Nevada Republican Party have won a court battle to keep the polls open one hour later in the battleground state. 

An Election Day lawsuit was filed in Clark County District Court by the Nevada Republican Party to keep open 22 Las Vegas area polling locations one hour later, citing reports that they didn’t open on time on Tuesday morning. 

Polls were initially scheduled to close at 7pm local time, but Judge Joe Hardy ruled an hour extension would be given in the state’s most populous county. 

The ruling came after the Elections Division of the Nevada Secretary of State announced on Twitter on Tuesday morning that several polling locations had yet to open due to technical problems. 

“If you are waiting in line,” the department tweeted 30 minutes after the polling places were supposed to open. “Please be patient. The sites will open soon.”

It appeared that most of the issues were resolved by the afternoon. 

Polling places in Nevada also remain open until the last person in line has the opportunity to cast their ballot. 

The extension will now delay election results in the battleground state, which shows a neck-and-neck race between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. 

Polls show Mr Biden leading the sitting president 49 to 47 per cent. Mr Trump lost the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016. 

The state would be an important win for the president, as he’s not anticipated to pick up other states Mrs Clinton won in the 2016 election. 

Whoever wins Nevada will receive six electoral college votes out of the 270 needed to win the White House.