How Fair Is Fair? Am I As Well Represented As You?

One Man, One Vote?

by Don Cook

(Ed. Note: This is part two of a continuing series looking at various ways in which we elect our representatives in Nevada. See archives, Vol 1., No 8)

It has often been said that local government is ‘closest to the people,’ however, many folks tend to concentrate more on the national races. Issues and problems facing the electorate on a daily basis are generally tossed about at the state and local legislative tables. Do you really know who actually elects your local officials?

In our prior segment, it was noted that in Southern Nevada, only those folks who live in a specific district elect council and commission members that represent their geographic regions. The concept seems very sound and fair.

The method by which the voters in Northern Nevada elect their local officials is a different story altogether. Although only those individuals living within an individual commission district elect the Washoe County commission members, Reno, Sparks and Carson City voters are faced with a very different set of circumstances when choosing their representatives. These circumstances should provide a red flag to the avid observer of the local election process.

Both Reno and Sparks are divided into separate districts or wards which are represented by council members who are required by law to live within that geographic area. During the Primary Election in September (Sparks is in the process of converting its elections to the even-year statewide ballot) only those voters who live within that specific geographic area may vote for the candidates within that district. Subsequent to that vote in September, the names of the top two candidates for each office go on to the General Election (it should be noted that Carson City is ‘at-large’ for both Primary and General Elections).

During the November General Election all candidates are elected ‘at-large.’ On the surface, this process may appear to be logical in that the citizens within the ward get to choose the top two candidates that then go on to run citywide. Upon closer examination, one will find several important flaws in this process.

By allowing candidates to run citywide in the General Election, success is directly linked to funding, which is directly linked to PACs and other special interest groups. It is very difficult for a candidate, despite his or her popularity within the ward, to wage an effective at-large campaign without adequate funding. This accounts for the fact that there have been instances wherein a candidate loses the vote within his/her ward, but wins the overall at-large vote. Succinctly, the rest of the region ends up electing your representative.

Advertising and associated name recognition most often outweighs neighborhood involvement and individual commitment to the community. This scenario brings forth another interesting facet; demographic representation. As Nevada grows, so does its diversity. As with many larger cities, we have geographic areas of ethnicity. Even though there are laws which attempt to require governmental jurisdictions to look at demographic census information when drawing up their various district boundaries, there are voting districts and areas which are predominately composed of minority voters.

Given the fact that popularity, involvement and acceptability within a district are not enough to ensure victory during an at-large election, it would not be much of a stretch to see such elections being contested in Federal Court as being discriminatory and non-representative.

Smaller communities such as Elko, Yerington, Caliente and Wells all elect at-large. Because of their City Charters, they do not have ‘run-off’ Primary Elections. Given their size, the aforementioned concerns would not appear to be an issue.

Those folks that challenge the merits of the Electoral College may want to take a long hard look at how they, as well as their friends and neighbors elect their local representatives. Your local elected officials are those most closely associated with the issues that affect your individual quality of life, community pride, safety and well-being.

Inasmuch as these municipal elections are governed by City Charters and those Charters are modified and approved by the State Legislature, concerned voters wishing to change the present ‘questionable’ systems of elections should contact their State Senator and Assemblyman. Perhaps we need to tighten up the meaning of ‘fair’ when talking about our election process.