Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | midnight
Voters across Clark County are headed to the polls today to narrow the playing field in key races in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City.
Polling places open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. Residents today in the nonpartisan, open election are determining whose names will appear on June's municipal ballot.
In the primary election, if a candidate receives a majority -- 50 percent, plus one -- of votes, the candidate is declared elected and the office will not appear in the general election.
In Clark County, mayors and city council members are elected to four-year terms; municipal judges are elected to six-year terms.
For the June 2 primary, voters must be registered by May 2 to be eligible; voters can register in person at the City Clerk's office through May 12.
In Las Vegas, turnout for the primary municipal elections in Las Vegas is expected to be above average, City Clerk Beverly Bridges said.
Primary voter turnout is typically higher than turnout for the general election, which is June 2, she said.
"I have more of a voter turnout in the city, because candidates here can win in the primary," she said. "(The candidate) has to get a majority of the votes, but they can win without going to the general election."
This is the first time in a city-wide election that the 120 regular polling locations have been reduced to 80.
"We're trying to be more fiscally responsible and utilize tax dollars," Bridges said.
Candidates in the hotly contested Ward 4 race are planning parties to follow election results as they come in.
Competing in the race are Metro Police Capt. Stavros Anthony; high school English teacher Sam Christos; county employee Gary Hosea; flight attendant Yvonne Karim; health advocate Terrie Price and Planning Commission Chairman Glenn Trowbridge.
Incumbent Steve Ross faces off with attorney Jennifer Taylor for Ward 6. Judge Cynthia Leung are vying for the only contesting city judge seat this year for Department 1.
Early voter results are expected to be available after 7 p.m., with results possibly coming in as late as 10 p.m.
Across Clark County, 22,942 voters cast ballots for early voting March 18 to April 3. The city of Las Vegas made up 5,775 of the total.
"There might just be one race on your ballot, but it's still important to vote," Bridges said.
KEY RACES:
- Las Vegas:
City Council, Ward 6 - Steve Ross, incumbent; Jennifer Taylor.
City Council, Ward 4 - Glenn Trowbridge, Stavros Anthony, Sam Christos, Gary Hosea, Yvonne Karim, Teresa "Terrie" Price. - North Las Vegas:
Mayor - Shari Buck, William Robinson, Stephanie Smith, Ned Thomas, John 3:16 Cook.
City Council, Ward 1 - Robert Eliason, incumbent; Rolando Cruz, Jeffrey Eggeman.
City Council, Ward 3 - Felix Acevedo Jr., Angelo Carvalho, John Kelso, Michael Little, Kimberly McKinney, Anita Wood.
- Henderson:
Mayor - Andy Hafen, Steven Kirk, Amanda Cyphers, Michael Mayberry, Richard Sipan.
City Council, Ward 3 - Kathleen Boutin, Brandon Casutt, Bruce Cutler, Jim Dunn, Jason Frayer, Cathy Rosenfield.
Municipal Judge, Department II - Matthew Zobrist, Douglas Hedger
- Boulder City:
City Council, two open seats, top four vote-getters move on to general - Matt DiTeresa, Chris Gatlin, Duncan McCoy, Anthony Pakula, Jim Reed, Joe Roche, John Schleppegrell, Bill Smith, Cam Walker.
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