Matt Lay
Matt Lay is running in a special election for the Department 2 judge of the Las Vegas Municipal Court in Nevada. Lay is on the ballot in the special primary on June 9, 2026.[source]
Lay completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Matt Lay earned a high school diploma from Green Valley High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1999, and a law degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law in 2008. Lay's career experience includes working as a prosecutor.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Las Vegas, Nevada (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on June 9, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary
Special Nonpartisan primary election for Las Vegas Municipal Court Department 2
Jessica Green (Nonpartisan), Matt Lay (Nonpartisan), and Allycia Murphy (Nonpartisan) are running in the special primary for Las Vegas Municipal Court Department 2 on June 9, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jessica Green (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Matt Lay (Nonpartisan) | |
 | Allycia Murphy (Nonpartisan) | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Lay received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Lay's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- State Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D)
- State Rep. Brian Hibbetts (R)
- State Rep. Elaine Marzola (D)
- State Rep. Selena Torres-Fossett (D)
- Frmr. State Rep. Jason Frierson (D)
- Frmr. State Rep. William C. Horne (D)
- Frmr. State Rep. Sarah Peters (D)
- Frmr. State Rep. Tom Roberts (R)
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Matt Lay completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lay's responses.
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As a public defender, Matt protected the constitutional rights of individuals accused of crimes and gained insight into the challenges people face when entering the justice system. As a prosecutor, he works to protect public safety, support victims, and ensure cases are handled fairly and efficiently. This dual experience allows him to approach cases with balance, independence, and a clear understanding of their real-world impact. Matt has also worked extensively with specialty courts addressing addiction and mental health, where accountability is paired with opportunities for rehabilitation. He understands the importance of efficient courtroom management and works daily with judges, attorneys, court staff, and law enforcement.
Matt has lived in the Las Vegas Valley since 1991, where he and his wife are raising their two children. He is running for Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge to bring experience, fairness, and accountability to the bench.- Public safety begins with accountability. A municipal court judge must apply the law consistently and fairly, ensuring that violations are met with meaningful consequences that promote respect for the law.
Matt Lay believes accountability must be applied thoughtfully, with careful attention to the facts, the individual’s history, and opportunities for rehabilitation. Through his work as a prosecutor, he has seen how repeat offenses, impaired driving, and reckless behavior impact the community.
A judge must be firm, fair, and guided by the law. Matt is committed to applying the law as written to protect public safety and maintain trust in the justice system. - Fairness requires experience and perspective. Matt Lay brings both through his work as a public defender and a prosecutor. As a public defender, he protected constitutional rights and saw the challenges people face in the system. As a prosecutor, he works with law enforcement, supports victims, and evaluates cases based on evidence and the law. This experience allows Matt to approach each case with an open mind, ensuring decisions are based on the facts and the law. He is committed to treating all parties with respect and applying the law fairly and consistently.
- A strong court depends on fairness, accountability, and efficiency. For many people, municipal court is their primary experience with the justice system. Matt Lay understands that efficiency means more than speed. It requires organization, consistency, and respect for everyone involved. He has seen how delays affect victims, defendants, attorneys, and law enforcement. Poorly managed courtrooms increase costs and reduce trust. Matt is committed to running a professional, well-managed courtroom that respects people’s time and ensures cases are handled efficiently and fairly.
His experience on both sides of the courtroom has shown him the importance of consistent application of the law, accountability that promotes respect for the law, and opportunities for rehabilitation when appropriate. He is also committed to efficient courtroom management that supports victims, defendants, and law enforcement.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Lay's campaign website stated the following:
Matt’s Priorities
Leading with Smarter Justice
Expanding successful programs to address the root causes of crime, ensuring accountability while focusing on treatment and recovery for defendants with mental health and substance use challenges.
Boosting Public Safety through Specialization
Enhancing the effectiveness of specialty courts to reduce recidivism and help individuals become stable, productive citizens, making the community safer.
Modernizing Court Efficiency
Applying proven experience in developing innovative policies and strategies to make the court system more efficient, effective, and fair for all citizens.
— Matt Lay's campaign website (March 15, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 31, 2026
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nevada • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nevada
State courts:
Nevada Supreme Court • Nevada Court of Appeals • Nevada District Courts • Nevada Justice Courts
State resources:
Courts in Nevada • Nevada judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nevada
