Early voter turnout low; 12% expected Tuesday

Diana Sahagun

Monday, April 2, 2001 | 11:35 a.m.

Turnout for early voting in the upcoming municipal election was low, but Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said the numbers aren't necessarily disappointing. What's more, he said, the service continues to fulfill a need.

Only 16,481 people in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City took part in early voting from March 14 to Friday.

The numbers are lower than early voting in the 1999 primary, which included a mayoral race and drew 19,000-plus early voters.

"I don't get disappointed," Lomax said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone who wants to vote."

Lomax expects 12 percent to 15 percent of registered voters in Las Vegas and Henderson to vote during Tuesday's primary race. Higher numbers -- 20 percent or more -- are expected in North Las Vegas, where several City Council races have been surrounded by controversy.

"People tend to be more excited for mayoral races and presidential races," Lomax said. "The more influence they perceive the candidate has, the more they are likely to turn out."

Through Friday the Las Vegas Mobile Team, which visited different locations each day, recorded the most early voters, at 3,963. The team, for example, set up voting booths inside supermarkets.

North Las Vegas also used a mobile team for the first time. It spent three days at one supermarket, three days at another and drew 2,038 early voters.

"When you are out at any early voting location, especially at a supermarket, you see all sorts of people will walk by you and stop and literally say, 'Well I didn't even know there was an election,' and they will stop in and vote." Lomax said. "We are increasing turnout simply by being there."

At the Meadows Mall, 2,706 shoppers took part in early voting, higher than those who participated at the Galleria at Sunset, which had 2,290 early voters.

The suburbs also had good turnout; The North Las Vegas City Clerk had 902 early voters; Henderson City Clerk, 893 voters; and Boulder City Clerk, 1,918. The Mesquite City Clerk had 1,357 early voters.

Voters from Las Vegas Tuesday will choose a representative to fill City Council seats for Wards 2, 5 and 6, all held by appointees who have had the positions for less than two years.

In addition, residents in Las Vegas can vote at-large in one municipal judge race, Department 2, which pits Bill Henderson against Betsy Kolkowski.

In North Las Vegas there is a race for mayor, two City Council spots and a judge's seat.

Running against incumbent Michael Montandon for mayor are homeless advocate John 3:16 Cook, Mark Crabtree Sr. and Glen Easter.

In Ward 1, two-term City Councilman John Rhodes is defending his seat against Robert Eliason, James Burns and former City Councilman Theron Goynes. First-term City Councilwoman Stephanie Smith is being challenged by Mark Kincaid and Planning Commissioner Anita Wood for the Ward 3 seat. Municipal Judge Warren VanLandschoot is being challenged by Lewis Gazda, Richard Melson, and Aaron Tippetts.

In the Henderson City Council race, incumbent Jack Clark faces newcomer Jesse Horne. Incumbent Judge Ken Proctor is opposed by Robert Willis.

Boulder City voters face more choices in at-large races for two open seats on the City Council.

Freshman incumbent Mike Pacini is opposed by five challengers. The other incumbent, Councilman Bill Smith, chose not to run for re-election.

Andrea Anderson, John Barlow, Wallace Best, Ned Morang and Richard Wyman are vying for seats on the City Council.

Sun reporters

Kris Hill and Jeffrey Libby contributed to this report.