Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Our choices, our future: A quick review of November’s ballot

2014 Voting

Sam Morris

Rylynn Berkey assists her grandmother April Hiett as she casts her ballot at Las Vegas High Tuesday, June 10, 2014.

The 2014 election lacks a marquee race for president, governor or U.S. Senate. But if you care about education funding, business taxes, how the Strip is policed or which party controls the Nevada Senate, you’ll want to cast a ballot.

Nevadans can vote as early as Oct. 18 and as late Nov. 4, Election Day.

These are the eight most important races and measures on the ballot:

Lieutenant governor's race

The candidates exemplify partisan power wars in the state. Assemblywoman Lucy Flores is the Democratic challenger repping Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s team. State Sen. Mark Hutchison is

Gov. Brian Sandoval’s pick for Republicans.

Attorney general's race

This race is about aspirations. Ross Miller, a Democrat and two-term secretary of state, is the son of a former governor.

Adam Laxalt, a former Navy prosecutor, is a newcomer to Nevada politics and is the grandson of a former governor.

Clark County sheriff's race

This race pits Metro’s brass against its officers. Assistant Sheriff Joe Lombardo (left), endorsed by outgoing Sheriff Doug Gillespie, is the one to beat. Retired Capt. Larry Burns has strong support from the department’s biggest union.

3rd Congressional District race

Residents in Summerlin, Henderson and Boulder City will choose between Republican Rep. Joe Heck, a military doctor and one-star general, and Democratic challenger Erin Bilbray, a first-time candidate and health care activist.

State Senate District 9 race

The majority in the Nevada Senate likely will hinge on this one. Democrats hold an 11-10 lead. Incumbent Justin Jones and Republican Becky Harris have been squaring off on Second Amendment and health care issues. Only voters in the southwest valley will see this race on their ballots.

Ballot Question 1

This measure would amend the state Constitution to create a Court of Appeals to handle cases between county court and the Nevada Supreme Court. Supporters say a Court of Appeals would reduce the Supreme Court’s backlog.

Ballot Question 2

Mining no longer is Nevada’s top industry, but critics nevertheless say the sector doesn’t pay its fair share. This measure would repeal a cap on mining taxes. It would allow the Legislature to increase the levy on the industry

Ballot Question 3

The measure proposes a 2 percent tax on revenue for businesses that make more than $1 million per year. The tax revenue, estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars annually, would go to the state’s schools fund. The state teachers union supports it; business leaders hate it.

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