Early voting in city elections begins, but low turnout expected

Yes, if an election takes place and hardly anyone votes, politicians still take their seats.

Early voting is being held in municipal elections in the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Mesquite.

The general election for all municipal races in Clark County will take place June 5.

"I think we'll be lucky to hit 10 percent" of eligible voters turning out, said Larry Lomax, Clark County registrar of voters.

North Las Vegas will elect a Ward 2 City Council representative. Boulder City will cast ballots for mayor and one council seat, and Mesquite will vote for a mayor and two council seats.

There have been few high-profile races this municipal election cycle, particularly in Las Vegas. Mayor Oscar Goodman handily won re-election to his final term in the April primary.

In Las Vegas, only the Ward 5 City Council and Municipal Court Department 6 races advanced to the general election because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.

Lomax said turnout could break 10 percent in the Ward 5 race, where Ricki Barlow and Stacie Truesdell are well-funded and filling mailboxes with campaign literature.

For most city of Las Vegas residents, though, the only choice on the ballot will be between public defender Lynn Avants and attorney Martin Hastings, who are vying for the Municipal Court Judge Department 6.