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On September 24, 2013, Hickey said on Reno radio station KKOH: “ We have some real opportunities in 2014. It is a great year in a non-presidential election. Seemingly no Democrats [are] at the top of the ticket against (Republican Gov. Brian) Sandoval. No Harry Reid. Probably where we had a million voters out there in 2012, we have 700,000. A lot of minorities, a lot of younger people will not turn out in a non-presidential. It is a great year for Republicans. ” —Pat Hickey Some Democrats said that his comments reflected a campaign of voter suppression. Nevada Democratic spokesman Zach Hudson said, "Mr. Hickey’s comments were insulting and out-of-touch. But it reflects a broader problem – Republicans will do whatever they can to suppress the vote next year." Democrats connected Hickey's remarks to an earlier statement made during the 2013 session, in which he suggested that in lieu of not being able to register to vote on election day, Nevada voters should pay a fine after the state registration deadline. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down state poll taxes as unconstitutional in 1966. Hickey said, "It was an hour conversation. What you have is a Democratic activist listening in, and recording a taking two words out of context."
