North Las Vegas primary elections results inconclusive

None of the races in the North Las Vegas primary election was decided April 5.

Incumbent Ward 4 Councilman Richard Cherchio received 44 percent of the vote while challenger Wade Wagner, a dentist, secured 47 percent. Both names will appear on the ballot for the June 7 general election.

In the Ward 2 race, Pamela Goynes-Brown received 27 percent of the vote. She will face Tanya Flanagan or Linda Meisenheimer in the general eledtion. Both women tied with 21 percent of the vote each -- receiving 328 votes apiece. Because the two tied, either of the candidates can request a recount within three business days after the election is certified. Whoever asks for the recount must pay for it.

The North Las Vegas City Council is expected to canvass the nonpartisan election on April 20, according to county election officials.

If no one asks for a recount, or if the tie remains following a recount, the winner is determined by lot, which in Nevada traditionally means the candidates draw for high card.

Ties such as this usually happen in rural areas with small electorates. Last year, it happened twice in Nevada. There was a tie in the primary for a Nye County Commissioner seat and then again for clerk-treasurer of Eureka County. Both ties were for first place, Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

William Robinson II, the son of incumbent Councilman William Robinson, came in fourth in the Ward 2 race with 19 percent of the vote. His father will turn over his seat this year because of term limits.

Voters will elect the city's first woman for Municipal Court judge Department 1 in the June general election. With all 96 precincts reporting, Catherine Ramsey received 37 percent of the vote while Marsha Kimble-Simms garnered 35 percent. Only 131 votes separated the two.

Voter turnout citywide hovered around 9.2 percent, with the majority of voters (about 4 percent) turning out for early voting. Voter turnout on election day was slightly below 4 percent. Only 6,637 people cast their votes this year in North Las Vegas. Of the valley's 435,267 voters, only 78,453 participated in the election.

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