Elections

Municipal Elections

For answers to election questions that are not specific to city of Las Vegas City Council or Judicial seats, please refer to the Clark County Election Department Website  or call 702-455-VOTE.

Election workers are hired and trained by the Clark County Election Department (CCED).  The city of Las Vegas is not involved in the process.  You must contact CCED at 702-455-2815 or email ElectionVolunteers@ClarkCountyNV.gov.

Municipal Court Judicial seats for Department 1, Department 4 and Department 6 - (6-year term). Candidate filing period for judicial seats will be Monday, Jan. 3, through Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding Saturday and Sunday.

City Council seats for Ward 2, Ward 4 and Ward 6 (4-year term). Candidate filing period for City Council seats will be Monday, March 7, through Friday, March 18, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding Saturday and Sunday.

The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 14. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Qualifications for Office

Each candidate for MUNICIPAL JUDGE shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada, never been removed or retired from any judicial office by the Commission on Judicial Discipline and a qualified elector* who has actually**, as opposed to constructively, resided within the boundaries of the city for a period of not less than 30 days immediately prior to the last day for filing a Declaration of Candidacy. Each municipal judge shall be elected by the registered voters of the city at large.

Each candidate for CITY COUNCIL shall be a qualified elector* who has actually**, as opposed to constructively, resided within the ward which he/she desires to represent for a period of not less than 30 days immediately prior to the last day for filing a Declaration of Candidacy. Each City Councilman shall be elected by the registered voters of the ward in which he/she is a candidate.

*A qualified elector is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, who satisfied any residency requirement for this election and is not otherwise disqualified by reason of a treason or felony conviction or insanity, unless their civil rights have been restored by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Please note that if, upon receipt of credible evidence indicating that a candidate has been convicted of a felony and has not had his civil rights restored by a court of competent jurisdiction, filing officers may pursue removing the individual from the ballot (NRS 293C.185).

**“Actual residence” is defined in NRS 281.050 as the place where a person is legally domiciled and maintains a permanent habitation. If the person maintains more than one such habitation, the place the person declares to be his or her principal permanent habitation when filing a declaration pursuant to NRS 293C.185 shall be deemed to be the person’s actual residence.

Verify your residency using our Find Your Ward tool.

Filing Fee:

$100.00 (Cash, check, cashier check, money order and debit/credit cards accepted. We cannot accept personal checks unless authorized signer on account is present with identification.)

Where to File:
Las Vegas City Clerk’s Office
495 South Main Street, Second Floor, City Hall
(702) 229-6311, Dial 7-1-1 for Relay Nevada

What to Bring:
Identification by one of the following:

(1) a valid driver’s license or identification card issued by a governmental agency that contains a photograph of the candidate and the candidate’s address; or

(2) a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check, which indicates the candidate’s name and residential address.  

When filing for office, a complete filing packet will be provided to you. This packet will contain forms, instructions and general information necessary to comply with the requirements of Las Vegas City Charter, Las Vegas Municipal Code, and Nevada Revised Statutes. (NRS 293C.185)

Forms will be available to download from this page in December 2021, if you would like to fill them out prior to your filing.

Still have questions? Call the Office of the City Clerk at 702-229-6311.

• Mayor’s Seat
• Council Seat - Ward 1
• Council Seat - Ward 3
• Council Seat - Ward 5
• Judicial Seat - Dept. 2
• Judicial Seat - Dept. 3
• Judicial Seat - Dept. 5

History

The city of Las Vegas was incorporated on June 1, 1911, and until 1944, operated under a "commission" form of government with each commissioner having administrative control over certain operating departments of the city. Since Jan. 1, 1944, the city of Las Vegas has operated under what is commonly known as a "council/manager" form of government. This form of government was approved by a vote of the people with subsequent Las Vegas City Charter adoption by the Legislature.

Until 1975, the voters of the city elected the mayor and four city councilmen. A vote of the people in June of 1973 approved a City Charter amendment dividing the city into four wards. This allowed the mayor to be elected at large and each councilman to be elected by the voters of his or her own ward. The City Charter amendment was subsequently adopted by the Legislature with the first election by ward held in 1975. The elected officials chose to use the title "commissioner" until 1983 when a new City Charter approved by the Legislature changed their title to "councilman."

The citizens elect the mayor, six council members who comprise the City Council, and six Municipal Court Judges. Terms for the Mayor and Council are four years, with elections staggered every two years, with staggered six-year terms for the Municipal Court Judges.

Mayor

City Council

The City Council, including the mayor, is the governing body of the city and exercises legislative power by enacting ordinances, resolutions, orders and other policies necessary for the management and execution of the powers vested in the city through the City Charter. Among other things, the City Council is empowered to:

• Appoint the city manager and approve the appointment by the manager of the department heads, their assistants and other city staff.
• Adopt an annual budget.
• Act as the Redevelopment Agency.
• Enact and provide for the enforcement of all laws and ordinances.
• May acquire, sell and lease buildings and property.
• Enter into contracts, agreements, franchises, etc.
• License and regulate all businesses, trades and professions.
• Organize, regulate and maintain a fire department.
• Protect the public health.
• Enact and enforce building and safety codes.
• Provide for the zoning, subdivision and use of private land and buildings.
• Provide for traffic control.
• Provide for the abatement, prevention and removal of nuisances.
• Establish and appoint citizens to serve on city of Las Vegas boards - Planning Commission, Civil Service Board, Arts Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, to name just a few.
• Also, members of the City Council serve on various boards - Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Regional Transportation Commission, Regional Flood Control, District Board of Health, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs, etc.

Municipal Court Judges

A single Municipal Court judge presided until 1969 when the City Commission appointed an additional judge for Department 2. In 1975, by ordinance, Department 3 was established with Department 4 being added in 1977. To further serve our growing community, the City Council created Departments 5 and 6 in 1989 and 1991 respectively.

The citizens elect the judges at large by department number. Each judge presides over his or her respective department. In 2001, the Nevada State Legislature increased the judicial terms from four to six years.

The qualifications for Municipal Court judge are:

• Shall devote full time to the duties of his or her office.
• Duly licensed member in good standing of the State Bar of Nevada.
• Never have been removed or retired from any judicial office by the Commission on Judicial Discipline.
• Qualified elector who has resided within the city for a period of not less than 30 days immediately before the last day for filing a declaration for candidacy.
• Voted upon by the registered voters of the city at large.

Electioneering/Campaigning

For questions regarding Electioneering during the 2020 Election Cycle, please call the Clark County Election Department at 702-455-7683.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I live in the City of Las Vegas city limits? (Having “Las Vegas” in your mailing address does not guarantee it!)

Check quickly using our Find Your Ward service. 

Am I registered to vote?

Verify your voter registration status by contacting the Clark County Election Department at

702-455-VOTE (8683), or verify online by clicking RegisterToVoteNV.gov.

Where can I find historical information on previous elections?

The city of Las Vegas maintains a database where you can search by election year, specific seat race or candidate name.  See the Election Records Search by clicking here.

Verifying/Registering to Vote

Am I registered to vote?

Verify your voter registration status as active by contacting the Clark County Election Department at 702-455-VOTE (8683).

You can also check online at the Secretary of State’s Office at RegisterToVoteNV.gov.  

Where can I register to Vote?

Online: If you have a Nevada Driver’s License or State Issued Identification Card, the State of Nevada has created an online page where you can register to vote. You can also use this portal to update your address, change your party and more RegisterToVoteNV.gov.

In Person: Any Department of Motor Vehicles Office, or any Nevada State Welfare Agency or WIC Office.

City of Las Vegas
Office of the City Clerk
495 S. Main St., 2nd Floor

Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

Clark County Election Department
965 Trade Drive, Suite A
North Las Vegas, NV

Clark County Election Department Office
Clark County Government Center, First Floor, Suite 1113
500 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas

Election Resources

• Election Records
• Find Your Ward
• Clark County Election Services