Dean Heller Republican Mark Amodei Republican None of These Candidates On September 13, 2011, a special election was held in Nevada's 2nd congressional district to fill the vacancy[1] created by the resignation of Republican Dean Heller, who was appointed to the United States Senate.

On May 2, 2011, Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller announced the election, held under an untested 2003 law for replacing House members, would be open to any and all qualified candidates, without primary elections or nominations made by parties' central committees.

"[5] On May 19, District Judge Todd Russell sided with the Republican Party and ruling that the major parties would hold conventions in order to each nominate a single candidate.

[6] Miller asked the office of the Nevada Attorney General to appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Nevada,[7] which on May 31 issued an order instructing Miller and the state's political parties to address whether the election can be rescheduled due to concerns that the ongoing dispute over its rules may necessitate a delay.

Any Republican who receives at least two votes from members of the central committee can compete in the nomination process, which will be held under a two-round system.