Early voting for municipal elections in Las Vegas begins

Early voting for municipal elections is under way in Las Vegas and neighboring cities. If history is any guide, a relatively small percentage of voters will determine who makes decisions at city hall.

In Las Vegas, turnout was 24 percent in 2011 when voters elected Carolyn Goodman mayor in a citywide vote. But this year, there’s no citywide office on the ballot, which suggests even lower turnout.

Turnout in 2009 was 6.8 percent. And 2012 elections in Wards 2 and 6, one a special election to choose a replacement for departing Councilman Steve Wolfson and the other a recall vote on Councilman Steve Ross, each drew less than 13 percent of registered voters.

This year, Las Vegas voters are asked to choose council representatives in Wards 2, 4 and 6.

Early voting in Las Vegas and Henderson begins today and goes through March 29. Primary election day is April 2. In North Las Vegas, early voting began Wednesday and ends March 29.

Early voting dates, times and locations can be found online at the Clark County Elections Department, http://redrock.clarkcountynv.gov/electionresults/ev_schedules/13P_EV_SCHED.pdf .

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285 .