Early voting yields few ballots for city elections

Nearly halfway through the early voting period, a mere 3.5 percent of Clark County's eligible registered voters cast their ballots as of Thursday.

A combined 9,585 people -- of 277,253 who were eligible -- had voted early in city general elections in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Mesquite.

The general election is June 2.

Historically, voter turnout for municipal elections tends to be low, and there are no congressional, statewide or legislative races to draw out voters in big numbers this time.

During the municipal primary elections earlier this year, a total 10.4 percent of the county's registered voters cast ballots in the five cities.

Las Vegas has a single council race left, with two people competing for the Ward 4 seat. There, just 986 people had voted.

In Henderson, 3,962 people had cast votes for a new mayor and a representative for Ward 3 on the City Council.

North Las Vegas has three races on the ballot: mayor, Ward 3 on the City Council and a municipal judgeship. There, 2,441 had voted.

The smallest cities, Mesquite and Boulder City, had the highest turnout by percentage so far.

In Mesquite, where six candidates are competing for three council spots, 16 percent of the city's 6,814 eligible voters had already cast ballots.

Boulder City, meanwhile, saw nearly 11 percent of its 10,091 eligible voters turn out early to choose between two people in a runoff for a council seat and consider six ballot questions.

Early voting continues through May 29.

Registered voters can go to their respective city clerk's office to vote. Some municipalities are also operating voting sites in neighborhoods.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.