North Las Vegas’ municipal primaries are today

Today marks the primary for North Las Vegas municipal elections.

On the ballot are two North Las Vegas City Council seats in Wards 2 and 4, which are four-year terms, and Municipal Court judge department 1, which is a six-year term.

The polls are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are 21 polling places with 96 precincts -- nine of which are mail-only precincts -- throughout the city.

Acting City Clerk Jennifer Snyder said there are about 89,000 registered voters in North Las Vegas; roughly 72,000 are active.

"On election day, voters will need to check their sample ballot, and that will tell them their polling place," Snyder said. "That's the only place they can register to vote on that day."

Political analysts said voter turnout for primary elections, specifically municipal elections, is typically low. In 2009, only 8,935 of the city's then-77,000 registered voters cast their ballots.

Voter turnout at that time hovered around 12 percent for the entire election with about 6 percent coming out on election day and about 4 percent participating in early voting, according to the city's archived election reports.

During that election, Shari Buck defeated William Robinson by 35 votes to become the city's mayor.

Snyder said it's difficult to predict voter turnout for this election, but it's important for everyone to head to the polls for that reason.

"We don't really have any expectations," she said. "We would like people just to get out and vote."

Ward 2 is bordered by Washburn Road to the north, Rancho Drive and Allen Lane to the west, Owens Avenue and Lake Mead Boulevard to the south and Martin Luther King Boulevard to the east.

Incumbent Councilman William Robinson cannot run for re-election because of term limits; however, his son, William Robinson, II, is running for his seat. This race is the most heavily contested with seven candidates running. The other six are Tanya Flanagan, Carl Gatson, Pamela Goynes-Brown, Linda Meisenheimer, Anthony D. Snowden and John Stephens, III.

Ward 4 is bordered by Horse Drive and the Las Vegas Beltway near the northern end, Cheyenne Avenue to the south, Aliante Parkway and Martin Luther King Boulevard to the west and a small section of I-15 to the east.

Incumbent Councilman Richard Cherchio faces two opponents in his race for re-election. The other candidates are Goldie Pitchford and Wade Wagner.

North Las Vegas City Council members make $41,827 annually.

Municipal Court judge department 1 candidates are Donishia Campbell, Lauren R. Diefenbach, Marsha Kimble-Simms and Catherine Ramsey. Whoever is elected will become the city's first female Municipal Court judge.

Incumbent Judge Warren VanLandschoot is retiring.

North Las Vegas' municipal judges serve six-year terms and earn an annual salary of $148,438.

Candidates in all races were required to file campaign contribution and expense reports March 29, which cover transactions from Jan. 1 to March 24. The next report is scheduled to be filed by May 31.

In the Ward 2 race, Cherchio reported raising the most money with $79,288.54. He also spent the most at $95,863.84.

The majority of his campaign money -- $81,094.41 -- was spent at iPolitical, 300 S. Maryland Parkway, a political consulting firm.

In the Ward 4 race, Robinson reported raising the most money with $46,650 in contributions.

His campaign spent $49,016.56. More than $15,000 was paid to a few different political consulting firms.

In the judicial race, Ramsey raised the most money with $30,075.

She spent $29,397.

In races in which no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers move on to the June 7 general election.

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.