Early voting suggests higher turnout in city elections

The first two days of early voting indicate that Las Vegas' municipal elections could draw higher voter turnout than in recent city contests, although that increased figure probably will still equate to dismal turnout.

Unlike the city elections since 1999, this year there's a competitive mayor's race with 18 candidates, a field that includes some well-known names and some deep pockets.

Early voting started over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, 2,389 city residents cast ballots, according to the Clark County Election Department.

That's nearly twice as many as were cast during the first two days of early voting in 2003 (1,280) or 2007 (1,238), years when Mayor Oscar Goodman was seeking re-election and won easily.

Day-to-day early voting figures were not available for 1999, when Goodman first ran for office.

In that election, 14,729 Las Vegas voters cast their ballots early. If the current pace of early voting continues, about 16,700 people will vote early in this year's city election, a 13.5 percent increase over 1999, which is roughly in line with the increase in registered voters since then.

The city of Las Vegas has 222,185 active registered voters today, which is 12.8 percent more than the 196,846 registered voters in 1999. In that contest, 25 percent of voters turned out for the primary.

That's low, but turnout in the intervening mayoral contests was worse: 18.25 percent in 2003 and 15 percent in 2007. It was lower still in 2009 -- 11.5 percent -- with only an open council seat as the main draw.

Campaign managers have predicted 16 percent to 18 percent turnout in this year's race, which would be roughly 40,000 voters.

By comparison, Clark County turnout for the 2010 general election was 63.5 percent, and in the 2008 presidential election, it topped 80 percent.

Early voting in Las Vegas' city elections continues until April 1. Election Day is April 5.

Voting locations include the following:

■ Las Vegas city clerk's office, 400 Stewart Ave.; 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today through Thursday and March 28-31.

■ Meadows mall, 4300 Meadows Lane; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through April 1.

Other sites will be open throughout the city but only at certain times. For a complete list, go to www.lasvegasnevada.gov/elections or call 702-229-6311.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.