Nevada is a swing state in the upcoming election. And because Clark County always votes Democratic and rural counties in Nevada almost always vote Republican, Washoe County is considered the swing county that could determine which way Nevada goes this fall. Add to that the voter registration between Republicans and Democrats is almost flush and Nevada's independent voters could very well decide for the state.
In fact, independent voters here are such a hot commodity that both major political parties are pulling out the stops to court those votes.
"We are holding phone banks almost every night and we have crews of a couple dozen in every afternoon to canvas the neighborhoods," says Pam duPre with the Washoe County Democratic Party.
Republicans are doing the same thing.
"We feel like a lot of independent voters bought in to hope and change last election and now they are seeing that didn't work," says David Buell, President of the Washoe County Republican Party. "We think those voters will swing this way this time around."
According to the Washoe County Registrar of Voters, the Republican and Democratic registrations are fewer than 4,000 apart right now. And with 50,000 independents up for grabs it may be a race to the finish in November.
"Just because they are undeclared or independents doesn't mean they are undecided," duPre cautions. "And we feel if they hear from us they will see that our candidates are fighting for the right things."
Something they all agree on is that every vote in Washoe County will count a lot...this election.
The tug-of-war over voters will intensify next week when President Obama and his likely GOP challenger are set to stop in Reno for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention.
The White House has confirmed the president will address the convention next Monday.
Romney's visit is set for Tuesday.
And today we learned -- former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain will also be at the convention.
Of course, we'll bring you more information as we get it.
Keep in mind -- none of these events are open to the public.
Written by Erin Breen
