Ward voting bill clears Assembly committee

An Assembly committee has passed a bill to establish ward-only in four Nevada cities.

Senate Bill 457 now heads to the Assembly floor. It previously passed the Senate.

The bill changes the city charters of Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Henderson and how elections for city council or board of supervisors are conducted.

Backers of the measure say in too many instances voters who are more affluent are deciding the outcome of all city races and diluting the power of minority voters. Opponents counter such decisions should be left to local governments and city residents.

In Reno and Sparks, primary winners currently are chosen by voters in respective wards, but candidates run city-wide in the general election.

In Carson City and Henderson, both primary and general election ward contests are determined city-wide.