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Wednesday, July 27, 2011 | 5:10 p.m.
Richard Cherchio
Wade Wagner
In the continuing saga of North Las Vegas politics, former Councilman Richard Cherchio on Wednesday filed court papers contesting the Ward 4 election in June that he lost by one vote to Wade Wagner, who has since been seated on the City Council.
After a recount of the votes requested by Cherchio on Friday, the Clark County Election Department concluded that Wagner won by a single vote.
Cherchio’s attorney, Bradley Schrager, said the recount was only a “snapshot” of the votes cast during the election and doesn’t take into account mistakes made by election workers.
“There is at least one invalid ballot cast in Ward 4,” Schrager said. “A one-vote margin is sufficient to cast legal doubt on the results.”
The complaint filed by Cherchio on Wednesday claims that at least two other voters were permitted to cast invalid ballots in the election.
In the June 7 general election, Wagner received 1,831 votes and Cherchio got 1,830. Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said one illegal ballot was cast in Precinct 4306, but that it was impossible to tell whom the person voted for.
The City Council voted to hold a special election on July 19 that was halted after District Judge Elizabeth Gonzales sided with Wagner that the city should canvass and certify the votes.
Wagner was sworn in as councilman July 18, and the city plans to canvass the results of the recount at a special meeting July 28.
Discussion: 5 comments so far…
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He is right to contest the election. Between the one known improper ballot made on Election Day, it's been reported at both In The Sausage Factory and The Nevada View sites, along with today's column by John L. Smith in the Review-Journal that the Dentist has at total of 10 registered voters at his home. I realize he's LDS and all, but 10 adults in a single family home would be quite, um, cozy.
This is really getting quite comical - these two men arguing over a City Council seat for a City headed into State Financial Control, and possible dissolution. You'd think they'd be fighting over which one DOESN'T get the job!
It's sad that an election has resulted to this. Unfortunately, I wouldn't want Cherchio in the seat, because he's acting like a big baby. Dr. Wagner, I am very familiar with (he was my previous dentist). A very good fit for the job, because of his concern for the people. As for how many people that live in his home, is really based on their family view. I will say that he and his children are very close, and that does not surprise me. However, it has nothing to do with this election. It's time for this to end, he's in the seat, let it be.
Suck it up and stop crying. You lost so be a man and admit it.
Cant live without that graft would be my guess.
Cherchio should keep fighting this battle. The special election should have gone forward. Judge Gonzales legal judgement is questionable on this case. What motivated her decision to overide the Council's decision? State law on the matter seemed to favor Cherchio's special election in the precinct where the illegal vote took place. It seems that this has been an LDS show all the way. It stinks to high Heaven--or LDS Heaven! Maybe the best way to clean up this entire mess, including Mayor Buck, is to dissolve the City and move on. I am happy to see Cherchio fight this ruling in Court. The Gonzales decision appears ill founded, and political prejudice could be the basis for her decision. Cherchio is by far the best person for that seat- His loss on the Council would be a major one.
North Town is back another illegal vote was cast and its in Wade Wagners Neighborhood. NLV voters are you paying attention are going to get off you butts. You let a small percentage of people control your future when you don't vote. The illegal voter said it may have been Wade Wagner who registered him even though he is not a resident of NLV. If you don't vote you deserve the Sh*t hole NLV will become.