NAACP chief knocks early voting sites

An early-voting trial program in Las Vegas has already drawn objections from the NAACP because of the location of a temporary polling site.

Gene Collins, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Wednesday that West Las Vegas -- a predominantly black community -- deserves a mobile voting unit because it had a high voter turnout during the 1998 elections.

City officials, who are offering early voting for the first time, said the locations of mobile units were selected based on the Clark County Election Department's voter turnout numbers in each ward.

And according to City Clerk Roni Ronemus, more voters showed up at polls in the center of Ward 3 near the Lucky grocery story at East Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue than in the western portion of the district.

"We don't believe that. Those numbers don't wash with us," Collins said. "It is a slap in our face for our representatives and city clerk to proceed without even considering the African-American community."

Ronemus said she went strictly by the county's figures when she chose mobile unit sites in each ward. She emphasized the polling places are temporary and if this election proves more people truly vote in other regions -- such as West Las Vegas -- the units will be moved for the 2001 election.

"I was informed there was discontent because of decisions I made," Ronemus said. "I want voters to vote, that's my main concern. I cannot be political. This office is not political."

Early voting programs were approved by the 1997 Legislature to accommodate residents who want to avoid the rush on Election Day and to make the tallying process smoother for election officials.

Las Vegas is the only city in the valley to offer mobile units which, because of telephone hook-up fees, staff and computer equipment, cost about $3,500 per site for both the primary and general elections.

Ronemus said in an attempt to accommodate people who feel they are too far from mobile polls, the city will offer free trolley rides. To get more information on the trolley schedule, call the clerk's office at 229-6311.

"If we can get people at a central location, we'll be happy to pick them up," Ronemus said.

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