Now that the polls have closed, Reno Public Radio's Michelle Bliss talks to fellow reporter Will Stone about voter turnout and the GOP's edge statewide.
Republicans across the state continue to outpace Democrats in voter turnout. Overall, statewide turnout is about 36% so far. Given those numbers, Reno Public Radio’s Will Stone reports Democrats here are in danger of losing most of the statewide races and the state senate.
And Michelle Bliss reports, at polling spots in Reno, most voters have been focused on local races and ballot questions.
After casting his ballot today, Russell Greene explained that he voted “yes” on question 3, also known as the Education Initiative, which proposes a 2-percent margin tax on Nevada businesses that make more than $1 million in gross annual revenue.
Greene says school conditions need to be improved statewide.
“I lived down in Vegas for two years," he says, "and there are kids sitting on the floor. There are kids in portable rooms with no air-conditioners during the summer time.”
Another voter Judith McColley, who manages a small RV park, voted against the measure:
“I think it will greatly affect businesses, especially the small businesses around here. We’ve lost too many as it is.”
McColley is also passionate about the race for Reno mayor. Her pick is Hillary Schieve, who was elected in 2012 as the at-large member of the Reno City Council.
“I’ve followed her for years," McColley says. "She’s a local, she has a local business here and I think she’ll make a great mayor.”
Despite Schieve's City Council experience, outgoing mayor Bob Cashell’s endorsement for civil engineer Ray Pezonella had a lasting effect on voter Ben Gaetke.
“I think our current administration has been doing a pretty good job and they’re backing Pezonella," Gaetke says, "so if I don’t see anything wrong with the current group, I don’t see anything wrong with voting for their pick.”
Along with the mayoral seat, which is up for grabs, two new council members will be elected. And if Schieve becomes Reno’s next mayor, the council would also need to appoint her replacement.
