Editorial: Voters hold the key to our future

Monday, Nov. 6, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

Nevada, with only four electoral votes out of the 270 needed to capture the White House, usually isn't one of the more frequent stops on presidential itineraries. But this election year, with Nevada considered a tossup in what could be one of the closest presidential races in decades, the two major parties have devoted more attention to our state.

In light of the fact that President Clinton's veto derailed legislation by the GOP-led Congress that would have put nuclear waste on a fast track to Nevada, it's critical who wins the presidency. Al Gore consistently stood with Nevada's congressional delegation during this legislative battle, fighting against the bill supported by the influential nuclear power lobby. George W. Bush, meanwhile, was silent during the fray. Only as the election has come to a close has he said something about the issue, but even then it has been tepid and vague, a reflection of his close ties to the nuclear power industry.

The presidential election isn't the only hotly contested race, though. U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan opted not to run for re-election, pitting Republican John Ensign against Democrat Ed Bernstein, who more accurately reflects the views of working men and women in this state. Rep. Shelley Berkeley, who accomplished much for her Las Vegas district during her freshman term, is in a tough race. There also are ballot questions on fluoride in our water, same-sex marriages and medical marijuana, and important education board races and county commission contests. It's hard to imagine, then, a reason for voters to stay home.

So far there are promising signs that Nevadans are taking this election seriously, with 167,522 Clark County residents participating in early voting. For those residents who don't believe their vote counts, and aren't certain if they want to vote on Election Day, just remember what happened only two years ago in Nevada's U.S. Senate election. Of more than 416,000 ballots cast, Harry Reid beat John Ensign by just 428 votes -- a razor-thin difference of about one-tenth of 1 percent. So if you haven't already done so, please take the time Tuesday to do your part to ensure the health of our democracy.