Last Friday, June 21, 2024, Washoe County’s election system faced intense scrutiny when Commissioners Jeanne Herman and Alexis Hill voted against certifying the 2024 Primary election results.
Despite their opposition, the election was ultimately certified due to votes from Commissioners Clara Andriola and Bob Lucey, raising significant conflict of interest concerns as they were certifying their elections. The situation has sparked debates about ethical standards, yet it has gone unchallenged by the Secretary of State, the Ethics Board, or law enforcement.
In response to these events, three candidates, Lily Baran (Democrat), Paul White (Nonpartisan), and Mark Lawson (Republican), have filed for hand recounts of their elections. Furthermore, several injunctions and lawsuits have been filed in the 2nd Judicial Court, aiming to compel the Registrar of Voters (ROV) to conduct hand counts of the votes instead of machine recounts.
The Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) specify that votes must be recounted in the manner cast, necessitating a hand count for proper inspection. The requirement emphasizes transparency and accountability, ensuring each vote gets reviewed.
Despite these legal requirements, the ROV has been accused of attempting to expedite machine recounts over the weekend, avoiding the mandated hand counts. Critics argue that recounting votes using the same machines that initially counted them fails to provide an accurate check, likening it to verifying a cash register tally without an independent audit.
The financial burden imposed on candidates seeking recounts is also under scrutiny. For instance, Lily Baran’s race, with 1,269 votes, required an upfront payment of $50,560. Similarly, Paul White’s race (38,750 votes) and Mark Lawson’s (9,357 votes) also demanded the same upfront fee. These high costs are seen as prohibitive, potentially excluding non-elite candidates from pursuing recounts.
The estimated 645 hours per race for recounts by the ROV and the additional $9,350 per day for the machine vendor have triggered further allegations of inefficiency. Critics argue that this, carried out under secrecy, undermines public trust in the electoral process.
Candidates and their supporters want adherence to the law, pointing to the importance of hand counts to verify the integrity of the election results. The Franklin Project has already covered the costs, ensuring taxpayers bear no additional financial burden. Despite this, the ROV’s reluctance to perform hand counts has raised questions about their motives.
In addition to recount concerns, other election-related issues have surfaced. Marsy Kupfersmith, a nonpartisan candidate for Washoe County District 4 Commissioner, was denied ballot access despite submitting 114 signatures, 14 more than required. The ROV and Secretary of State’s office rejected her candidacy, claiming only 90 signatures were valid without providing specifics. Kupfersmith has filed an appeal, seeking a fair resolution.
Drew Ribar, another candidate, has filed a Writ of Mandamus requesting a new election after being left off the sample ballot in his assembly race. This oversight against a well-known opponent is seen as a significant disadvantage, prompting legal action to rectify the situation.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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