Municipal Elections
For answers and information about the 2020 Election (which does not include any Municipal city of Las Vegas Council or Judicial seats), please refer to the Clark County Election Department Website or call 702-455-VOTE.
Due to the passage of AB 50 during the 80th (2019) Session of the Nevada Legislature, the next city of Las Vegas Municipal Election will be held in 2022 with future elections held at two-year intervals, in even years, thereafter. With the extended term expirations that AB50 passage granted to elected officials taking office in 2017 and 2019, all city of Las Vegas Municipal Seats are scheduled to fall into one of the even-year cycles as shown below:
2022 - Council Seat - Ward 2
- Council Seat - Ward 4
- Council Seat - Ward 6
- Judicial Seat - Dept. 1
- Judicial Seat - Dept. 4
- Judicial Seat - Dept. 6
2024 - 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
The mayor serves as a member of the CityCouncil, presides as chairman over its meetings, performs ceremonial duties andis the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor serves as the officialrepresentative of the people in all matters and officially signs enactments ofthe City Council. One of the council members is elected by the City Council toserve as mayor pro tempore to act during the absence of the 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
Nevada Revised Statutes sections 293C.3572, 293C.361 and 293.740 govern campaigning and electioneering. The rules differ for early voting and Election Day:
Early Voting: • If the voting site is located on PRIVATE PROPERTY (mall, supermarket, etc.), no one may electioneer on the owner’s property without the owner’s permission (NRS 293C.3572). • If the voting site is located on PUBLIC PROPERTY, no one may electioneer within 100 feet of the voting area (NRS 293C.361)
Election Day: • No one may electioneer within 100 feet of the entrance to the building or structure in which a polling place is located (NRS 293.740)
Definition: NRS 293.740 defines electioneering as campaigning for or against a candidate, ballot question or political party by: • Posting signs, distributing literature or using loudspeakers. • Buying, selling, wearing or displaying any badge, button or other insignia. A person may wear political insignia while voting only if he or she is reasonably unable to remove or cover it. • Soliciting signatures for any kind of petition.
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