Thursday, June 23, 2011 | 1:55 a.m.
Wade Wagner addresses the media on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, after the North Las Vegas City Council called for a new election in one precinct in Ward 4. The Clark County elections department found one invalid vote was cast in the race separated by one vote between dentist Wagner and incumbent Richard Cherchio.
North Las Vegas councilman Richard Cherchio addresses the media on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, after the North Las Vegas City Council called for a new election in one precinct in Ward 4. The Clark County elections department found one invalid vote was cast in the race separated by one vote between incumbent Cherchio and dentist Wade Wagner.
The North Las Vegas City Council will meet today to discuss holding a special election in Ward 4, despite a lawsuit filed Tuesday to block the new election for the council seat.
The lawsuit, filed in Clark County District Court, seeks to halt a council-ordered re-election in one Ward 4 precinct between Wade Wagner and incumbent Councilman Richard Cherchio.
In the June 7 general election, Wagner won by a single vote, but five days later the Clark County Elections Department found one invalid vote was cast. The City Council voted on June 15 to hold a new election in Precinct 4306.
Wagner filed suit to block the election.
City spokeswoman Juliet Casey said the city has 45 days to answer the complaint, but unless the city receives a court order to halt the special election, planning will continue.
Cherchio’s lawyer Bradley Schrager said Wednesday that Wagner’s lawsuit has no merit.
“The City Council made a proper and informed decision and it was in the council’s discretion to do so,” Schrager said. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. Wagner would try and stop the democratic process.”
Todd Bice, Wagner’s attorney, said the city is ignoring its obligation to certify the election results.
“Instead, they are trying to protect their incumbent colleague from having to carry his burden to demonstrate that an improper vote was cast,” he said.
Wagner said the council is "saying is those votes (in Ward 4) don’t matter. Somebody has to speak for the 3,600 people who already voted and make sure they aren’t disenfranchised.”
Archives
- Wagner sues North Las Vegas, tries to block new election (6-21-2011)
- New election ordered in NLV race separated by single vote (6-15-2011)
- Illegal ballot adds uncertainty to North Las Vegas council race (6-12-2011)
- NLV Councilman Richard Cherchio ousted by a single vote (6-7-2011)
- Unions target incumbent Richard Cherchio in NLV council race (5-28-2011)
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