Clark County Proposed Charter Amendment No. 22

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Statement For · Jennifer Wendel

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Committee: Cathie Garber, Chair

Charter Amendment 22 Clarifies Nonpartisan Elections Charter Amendment 22 removes nonpartisan county races from the Primary ballot when there are only one or two candidates and places them directly on the General Election ballot. This is how other nonpartisan races already work, like city councilors, fire district commissioners, and school board members. Elections would still happen in even-numbered years, when most voters turn out. In 2021, more than 64% of voters chose to make all county offices nonpartisan. They wanted officials to answer to all citizens, not just one party. But the voting process itself never changed. Today, every candidate still appears on the primary ballot, even when only one or two people file. State law already skips primaries for nonpartisan races with one or two candidates. This amendment applies that same money-saving rule to county races. Primaries exist to narrow down large fields of candidates to the top two vote-getters. With only one or two candidates, there is nothing left to narrow. Charter Amendment 22 Saves Taxpayer Money Every election costs taxpayers money. The county must print and mail ballots and voters’ pamphlets and list each candidate. When a race only has one or two candidates, listing them on both the primary and general election ballot uses taxpayer dollars unwisely. For instance, five races on your current ballot had two or fewer candidates file but still appeared on the primary ballot. Vote to approve Charter Amendment 22–save tax dollars and stop unnecessary primaries!

Rebuttal of argument against

The outcome of the primary elections in question is already determined. The election itself serves no purpose. If this amendment passes, candidates can still campaign, fundraise, and attend forums the moment they file – primary or not. Incumbents have name recognition; an unnecessary primary will not change that; it just costs more. The opponents want an extra opportunity for candidate names to be printed on a ballot and voters’ pamphlet at taxpayer expense. Approve Amendment 22!

Statement Against · Peter Silliman

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Committee: Ann Donnelly, Chair

The purpose of an election is not simply to produce a winner. It is to give voters a fair and informed opportunity to evaluate those asking to represent them. Under this amendment, when two or fewer candidates file for an affected county nonpartisan office, the race would not appear on the August primary ballot, and the candidates would not appear in the Primary Voters’ Pamphlet. Voters would lose months of publicly provided information about candidates seeking offices responsible for elections, public safety, criminal justice, property assessment, and other vital services. Elections are the citizens’ interview process. The primary election introduces candidates, encourages public discussion, and gives voters time to compare qualifications before November. It also gives first-time candidates valuable exposure and feedback about whether their message is reaching voters. Incumbents already have name recognition and results from previous campaigns. Eliminating the primary creates a built-in advantage for incumbents while challengers lose months to introduce themselves and build public support. Supporters cite election cost savings. But administrative savings are a poor trade for delaying voter information and reducing opportunities for candidates to compete fairly. Elections should serve voters first. The proposed amendment also embeds even-numbered-year county elections in the Charter, when ballots already include federal and state contests. Voters should retain the opportunity to reconsider election procedures in the future. A County Charter should strengthen public participation, not diminish it. Vote Reject on Proposition 26-22. For more information, visit opposecharteramendment22 on Facebook.

Rebuttal of argument for

Primaries do more than narrow candidates; they inform voters. Amendment 22 removes one- and two-candidate county races from the Primary, delaying voters’ opportunity to learn about and evaluate those candidates until the General Election. That benefits incumbents with greater name recognition and reduces public scrutiny of important county offices. Don’t trade voter information, participation, and accountability for claimed savings. Vote No on Amendment 22.