Judge refuses to block election

Tuesday, April 9, 2002 | 9:43 a.m.

A federal judge denied a request by several blind vendors to block an election last weekend of blind business people to a committee that advises a state agency.

The state agency is the Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBV). It oversees 20 vending stands operated by blind vendors. They include snack bars and cafeterias in Carson City, Clark and Washoe counties.

The SBV had proposed new elections among the 20 vendors to choose five new members to make up an advisory committee. The SBV refused to recognize the current committee, saying the election of its members was suspect.

The committee challenged the SBV's proposal for new elections in a lawsuit against the state. But U.S. District Judge James Mahan denied on Thursday the committee's request and told its members to "use remedies available under federal law" to resolve their dispute with the SBV.

John Albrecht, the SBV's attorney, said the election results will be known by Thursday. The SBV said it has received 11 votes so far.