Three Republican commissioners in Washoe County, a key swing area in Nevada, have refused to certify an election recount, stirring up more tension in a community already fraught with election skepticism since 2020. This area has become known for misinformation and hostility towards public officials.
These commissioners are part of a five-member board that oversees all election results in Washoe County, which, alongside Clark County in Las Vegas, plays a crucial role in swinging the state’s electoral votes. The board will also be responsible for certifying results in the upcoming November 5 presidential election.
The refusal has prompted swift responses from the Nevada Secretary of State, Cisco Aguilar, and the Attorney General, Aaron Ford. Both officials stated that the commissioners are not upholding nonpartisan laws. They have now approached the Nevada Supreme Court to ensure the entire county commission fulfills its legal duties and certifies the results.
“It is unacceptable that any public officer would undermine the confidence of their voters,” said Aguilar. “This issue is incredibly important.”
Background on the Recounts
The vote on Tuesday was about certifying recounts for two primary elections held on June 11: one for a Washoe County Commission Republican primary and another for a nonpartisan school board primary. Recounts were requested by a Republican who lost to incumbent Commissioner Clara Andriola and a right-leaning candidate in a crowded nonpartisan primary. Both recounts were financially backed by local activist Robert Beadles.
Beadles is a well-off businessman and a key donor to the local Republican Party. He has spent the last three and a half years rallying against county officials who don’t agree with his views that elections are filled with fraud.
“In my opinion, it was his opportunity to create chaos in the voter registrar’s office,” said Alexis Hill, the Democratic commission chair who voted for certification. “He requested hand counts as part of the recount, which is not permissible because the votes must be counted the same way they were originally tabulated.”
There were a few administrative issues during the election. For example, a printing error during early voting in May meant some people in a small precinct might have had to vote again. Additionally, the voter registrar’s office took longer than expected to count ballots due to malfunctioning tabulation machines. Despite these hiccups, there were no errors or discrepancies in the recount, according to interim Washoe County voter registrar Cari-Ann Burgess.
Aguilar praised the voter registrar’s efforts, saying, “They worked long days and nights to meet all of their legal obligations. Nevadans who voted in these June Primaries deserve finality and the assurance that their voices were heard.”
Beadles, who was not available for comment, told the commission on Tuesday that an analysis from a mathematician and an artificial intelligence supercomputer indicated it was highly unlikely his candidates lost the elections.
“Our 2024 election was rigged,” he claimed. “It’s fraudulent.”
A Swing Vote Changes Sides
The commission has two Republican members who have previously voted against certifying elections: Michael Clark and Jeanne Herman. However, this was the first time that swing vote Commissioner Clara Andriola joined them.
In January, the local Republican Party disowned Andriola, and several Republicans ran against her in the June primary due to her views on election administration. Andriola managed to secure a win by a wide margin, but Mark Lawson, her top opponent, sought a recount. Lawson also lost the recount, leaving Andriola to decide whether to certify her own victory.
During Tuesday’s meeting, many members of the public held signs and spoke at length against certifying the recount. The meeting abruptly ended when a man began cursing from the podium.
Some individuals wanted the votes to be counted by hand, an idea that has gained popularity on the far right. However, Nevada law requires that recounts be conducted using the same method as the original vote, which in this case was machine tabulation.
“There’s a lot of information that has been shared that in my opinion warrants further investigation,” Andriola said before voting against certification, adding, “It’s not a reflection of anything intentional. I am not an election denier.” Andriola, Clark, and Herman did not respond to requests for interviews.
Next Steps
Assistant District Attorney Nate Edwards told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Secretary of State could now vote on whether to certify the election. If not, the matter could wind up in court, which is precisely what has happened.
Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford have taken the issue to court. Ford stated that his office would “defend Nevada’s elections against anyone aiming to delegitimize accurate election results or undermine a count of the people,” and that they would “never hesitate to join the Secretary of State in protecting Nevada’s elections.”
After Tuesday’s vote, Hill mentioned that Andriola approached her and requested reconsideration at their next meeting on July 16. Hill agreed to add the item to the agenda and said Andriola “did see the light.”
If Andriola decides to vote with the Democrats on certification, another significant challenge looms: a November 5 election for Hill’s seat, in which she faces Beadles-backed Republican Marsha Berkbigler.
“The saga is not over, but it’s not good,” Hill remarked. “This is an unprecedented and really upsetting display by elected officials.”
