Cherchio seeks recount in disputed North Las Vegas election

By Aida Ahmed

Published Tuesday, July 19, 2011 | 3:53 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, July 19, 2011 | 5 p.m.

One day after Wade Wagner was sworn in as a North Las Vegas city councilman in Ward 4, former Councilman Richard Cherchio has demanded a recount – the latest development in the ongoing dispute.

One illegal ballot was cast in Precinct 4306 in the June 7 general election that Wagner won by one vote.

After two lawsuits, several restraining orders and a judge’s ruling that the city must swear in Wagner, Cherchio is moving forward with his last option. Cherchio has requested a recount in precincts 2440, 2500 and 4304. The recount will cost him $600.

The former councilman said he chose the three precincts with the advice of his campaign members and attorney.

“We want to eliminate any mistakes and make sure all votes were accounted for properly,” said Cherchio.

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said candidates who request recounts usually pick precincts that have the highest number of mail-in votes.

“The best hope for something to change is with a mail ballot,” Lomax said.

Clark County election officials will hand-count the votes in the three precincts and if the numbers don't change by five votes or 1 percent, whichever is greater, a machine will count the rest of the ballots.

If the numbers are off by more than that, the rest of the ballots will be hand-counted.

The recount is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at the Clark County Election Center office.