Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
By Aida Ahmed 
Thursday, June 23, 2011 | 1:55 a.m.
Wade Wagner addresses the media on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, after the North Las Vegas City Council called for a new election in one precinct in Ward 4. The Clark County elections department found one invalid vote was cast in the race separated by one vote between dentist Wagner and incumbent Richard Cherchio.
North Las Vegas councilman Richard Cherchio addresses the media on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, after the North Las Vegas City Council called for a new election in one precinct in Ward 4. The Clark County elections department found one invalid vote was cast in the race separated by one vote between incumbent Cherchio and dentist Wade Wagner.
The North Las Vegas City Council will meet today to discuss holding a special election in Ward 4, despite a lawsuit filed Tuesday to block the new election for the council seat.
The lawsuit, filed in Clark County District Court, seeks to halt a council-ordered re-election in one Ward 4 precinct between Wade Wagner and incumbent Councilman Richard Cherchio.
In the June 7 general election, Wagner won by a single vote, but five days later the Clark County Elections Department found one invalid vote was cast. The City Council voted on June 15 to hold a new election in Precinct 4306.
Wagner filed suit to block the election.
City spokeswoman Juliet Casey said the city has 45 days to answer the complaint, but unless the city receives a court order to halt the special election, planning will continue.
Cherchio’s lawyer Bradley Schrager said Wednesday that Wagner’s lawsuit has no merit.
“The City Council made a proper and informed decision and it was in the council’s discretion to do so,” Schrager said. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. Wagner would try and stop the democratic process.”
Todd Bice, Wagner’s attorney, said the city is ignoring its obligation to certify the election results.
“Instead, they are trying to protect their incumbent colleague from having to carry his burden to demonstrate that an improper vote was cast,” he said.
Wagner said the council is "saying is those votes (in Ward 4) don’t matter. Somebody has to speak for the 3,600 people who already voted and make sure they aren’t disenfranchised.”
Archives
- Wagner sues North Las Vegas, tries to block new election (6-21-2011)
- New election ordered in NLV race separated by single vote (6-15-2011)
- Illegal ballot adds uncertainty to North Las Vegas council race (6-12-2011)
- NLV Councilman Richard Cherchio ousted by a single vote (6-7-2011)
- Unions target incumbent Richard Cherchio in NLV council race (5-28-2011)
The Clark County Registrar of Voters provided proof that an illegal ballot had been cast. The City would have been sued by a lot more people had they certfied the results, especially since the NRS is clear - a new election MUST be held in that Precinct. While he's getting his desired message out there, the City acted entirely properly in this instance.
I'm in Ward 4 - I voted - and I absolutely agree that there should be a new election.
Wagner's argument is disingenuous. He is claiming that we in Ward 4 will be disenfranchised if the precinct election goes forward.
Wouldn't everyone in Ward 4 be disenfranchised if Wagner took office in light of the FACT that there was improper voting?
In other words, Wagner thinks it is ok if someone breaks the rules to win. No Wagner, we have rules and if you break those rules you face the music. Here, a new election.
Wagner - Do you believe that breaking rules is ok to win? Is that how you want to take office? Because there is NO disputing that the rules were broken here, an invalid vote was cast, all this in light of the one vote difference.
Wagner - Are you telling us it is ok to break rules and allow the results, KNOWING that the rules were broken?
If you answer yes - it is the beginning of a corrupt term.
I also live in ward 4 and its obvious that the city county is trying to get their buddy reelected. Two of the council members support Chercios campaign and Woods husband worked in it. Thats information that some posters fail to mention when they talk about Buck's husband working on the Wagner campaign.
Wood's and Eliason should not have voted to have this new election. The fact that they did shows that corruption already exists in the council. Isn't that right unlv702? Just be fair about it. If Wagner is being corrupt by wanting the election certified then Wood and Eliason are corrupt for ordering a new election when it wasn't even on the agenda at the council meeting. Corruption exists big time in this council and you apparently don't care.
The attorney that the city hired to look into the matter that has election experience advised them that they needed to certify the election and move from there and they went against that recommendation. They paid the man to give them his profession recommendation and they said screw you we are going to do what we want. Smoke and mirrors.
Chercio, Wood and Eliason are buddies and they are doing everything they can to keep Rich in office. Thats not corrupt though right? It's only corruption and immorality when its the candidate that you DIDN'T vote for right? You should look at the story about the City of Costa Mesa and you will see the parellels to North Las Vegas. The city claims poverty but they still spend millions on frivolous stuff.
@tiredoftheslant
Premise: There was an election. During this election it was determined, as a matter of fact, that an illegal vote was cast. Wagner claimed victory as a result of one vote.
Issue: Whether certification of an election is proper where it is determined as fact that an illegal vote was cast and the result of the election was a one vote difference.
Here, the law is clear in permitting for a new election where it is determined, as a matter of fact, that an illegal vote was counted.
You, on the other hand - would prefer that this guy Wagner, take office in light of this FACT of Illegality.
They cannot proceed until they certify the election. Breaking the law and voting in back room deals won't get them anything but kicked out like Cherchio.