City Council Elections in Reno and Sparks May Change

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, is sponsoring Assembly Bill 443 in the Nevada State Legislature, which would alter the way city council members are elected in both Reno and Sparks. Both city councils are opposed, but it has passed through the Assembly Government Affairs Committee and appears headed for a vote by the full Assembly. If it passes, the next stop is the Senate.

Under current law, council candidates run only in their wards during primary elections. However, the nominees then run city-wide during the general election. Those winners then serve as representatives of their respective wards, and one council person is an at-large member for the entire city. The new rules, if enacted, would create a sixth ward in Reno and eliminate the at-large position.

Reno City Council members said they hadn't heard any complaints about the current system, but passed a resolution to put the issue up to a vote of the citizens. One councilman, Dave Aiazzi, criticized Leslie for trying to manipulate city elections, saying every candidate she supported in the last election lost. Leslie denied the allegation. Sparks has a charter committee that sets standards for elections. According to Sparks lobbyist Rob Joiner, they would prefer to be left out of any state mandated change in election rules.

There are arguments both ways on this issue. Some see it as unwarranted state meddling in city affairs, while others promote the idea as a way to empower voters and make elections less costly, thus giving more people the opportunity to run for local office. Let us know what you think - take the poll and/or leave a comment.

Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

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