Primary Election Day arrives for candidates in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas

By Conor Shine

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 | 2 a.m.

Several races for municipal office could be settled today when voters in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson take to the polls to cast a primary ballot.

Candidates who garner more than 50 percent of the vote during the primaries win their race outright. In races where no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off again in the June 4 general election.

Polls will open in all three municipalities at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Election results will be posted on Clark County’s website after the polls close.

Thousands of ballots already have been cast during early voting, including 9,109 in Henderson, where Andy Hafen is seeking a second term as mayor and incumbent John Marz is running for his first full term on the City Council after being appointed to represent Ward 3 in 2012.

Henderson voters can cast their ballots for candidates in both races at any of the 10 voting centers around the city, regardless of what precinct they live in.

The Henderson mayor receives an annual salary of $54,632, and council members receive $44,288. Both are elected to four-year terms.

In Las Vegas, 6,885 early ballots have been cast for three City Council races.

In Wards 2 and 4, incumbents Bob Beers and Stavros Anthony both face single challengers, meaning the winner of today’s primary takes the seat and there will be no general election.

In Ward 6, incumbent Steve Ross will face off against Paul Rodriguez and Suzette LaGrange.

Las Vegas residents may only vote for candidates in their ward and must vote at their assigned precinct, which can be found on the back of their sample ballots or online.

Las Vegas City Council members serve four-year terms and receive an annual salary of $74,706.

In North Las Vegas, 4,778 early ballots have been cast for the slate of three races headlined by former state Sen. John Lee’s attempt to unseat incumbent Mayor Shari Buck.

In Ward 1, four candidates are vying to fill the open seat vacated by term-limited Councilman Robert Eliason.

Incumbent Anita Wood faces two challengers for her seat representing Ward 3 on the City Council.

All North Las Vegas residents may vote for mayor, but only residents in Wards 1 and 3 can cast votes in their respective council races. Residents must vote at their assigned precincts.

The North Las Vegas mayor earns $47,889 annually, and council members make $41,827. Each serves a four-year term.