Nevada Secretary of State and Attorney General Sue Washoe County Over Refusal to Certify Election Recount Results

Reno, Nevada United States of America
Controversy raises concerns about voter confidence in Nevada's electoral process
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford sue Washoe County over refusal to certify election recount results
Petition filed with Nevada Supreme Court seeks to compel officials to certify election recount results in accordance with state law
Three Republican commissioners voted against certification while Democratic commissioners supported it
Washoe County officials refused to certify recount results for Washoe County Commission District 4 and Washoe County School Board District G
Nevada Secretary of State and Attorney General Sue Washoe County Over Refusal to Certify Election Recount Results

In a recent development, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford have taken legal action against Washoe County after the county refused to certify recount results from the June 9 Primary Election. The petition filed with the Nevada Supreme Court seeks to compel officials to certify election recount results in accordance with state law, as required by Nevada's election regulations.

The controversy arose when Washoe County Commissioners voted against certifying the results of an official recount for Washoe County Commission District 4 and Washoe County School Board District G. The outcomes of these races did not change significantly following the recount, but the certification standoff has raised concerns about voter confidence in Nevada's electoral process.

Three Republican commissioners, Michael Clark, Jeanne Herman, and Clara Andriola, voted against certification while Democratic commissioners Alexis Hill and Mariluz Garcia supported it. The decision came after a prominent election denier spent $150,000 on recounts in three local races.

The petition filed by Aguilar and Ford argues that the Washoe County commissioners have a legal obligation to certify the results of canvassed elections. The court is expected to consider this matter as soon as possible, with a deadline for certification set for August 22.

This is not the first time Washoe County officials have refused to certify election results. In June, Clark and Herman also voted against certifying the county's original canvas. Voting advocates warn that such actions can spread misinformation and sow distrust in the democratic process ahead of the presidential election.

The Nevada Supreme Court has not yet issued a ruling on this matter, but it is essential for ensuring that election results are certified accurately and efficiently to maintain public trust in Nevada's electoral system.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are there any ongoing investigations or allegations of voter fraud in Washoe County that could be influencing the refusal to certify results?
  • Have there been any similar instances of election certification standoffs in Nevada or other states recently?
  • What is the specific legal basis for the petition filed by Aguilar and Ford?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

SOS, AG ask NV Supreme Court to make Washoe follow state law, certify election results • Nevada Current

Nevada Current Michael Lyle Thursday, 11 July 2024 19:03
  • Unique Points
    • Nevada Secretary of State asked Nevada Supreme Court to intervene after Washoe County refused to certify recount results from the June 9 Primary Election.
    • Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford filed a petition on behalf of Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar asking the court to compel officials to certify election recount results in accordance with state law.
    • Washoe County Commissioners voted against certifying the results of an official recount for Washoe County Commission District 4 and Washoe County School Board District G.
    • Two local races, one for a commission seat and another for a school board seat, were affected by the certification standoff.
  • Accuracy
    • The outcomes of the races did not change following the recertification.
    • Three Republican Washoe County commissioners voted against the recount results.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

90%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Nevada county votes against certifying recount results, a move that raises longer-term questions

The Associated Press News Wednesday, 10 July 2024 01:30
  • Unique Points
    • Washoe County Board of Commissioners refused to certify the results of two local recounts from last month's primary elections.
    • It is unclear what will happen next as county elections department and district attorney’s office declined to comment along with the state attorney general and secretary of state.
    • Two commissioners, Jeanne Herman and Mike Clark, have consistently voted against certifying results. Republican Clara Andriola joined them in voting against certification of the recounts for races she did not win.
    • The certification standoff is the latest election controversy in Washoe County which has narrowly voted for Democrats in recent presidential contests.
    • Conspiracy theories about voting machines and distrust of election administrators have led to harassment and high turnover in the local election office.
  • Accuracy
    • Three Republican Washoe County commissioners voted against the recount results, while another targeted by the election conspiracy theory movement joined them in the vote.
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of potential implications for the presidential race and election controversies in Washoe County. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the public comments as 'filled by residents who alleged irregularities in the election, demanded a hand-count of ballots and sometimes spouted false claims of stolen elections and a “cabal” within the county.' This creates an emotionally charged atmosphere for readers. The author also uses editorializing language such as 'rare move' and 'latest election controversy to roil Washoe County'.
    • The public comments were filled by residents who alleged irregularities in the election, demanded a hand-count of ballots and sometimes spouted false claims of stolen elections and a “cabal” within the county.
    • The certification standoff is the latest election controversy to roil Washoe County, which includes Reno and its suburbs and has narrowly voted for the Democrat in the last two presidential contests.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (90%)
    The article reports on the Washoe County Board of Commissioners refusing to certify the results of two local recounts from last month's primary election. The author does not express any bias in their reporting but does mention that some residents at the commission meeting spouted false claims of stolen elections and a 'cabal' within the county. This is an example of bias by association, as the author is not endorsing these false claims but rather reporting on them. The article also mentions that two Republican commissioners have consistently voted against certifying results and are supported by a movement within the county that promotes election conspiracy theories. This information could be perceived as biased, but it is important context for understanding the situation and should not detract significantly from the overall score.
    • and were supported by the wider movement within the county that promotes election conspiracy theories[
      • ]Two of the Republican commissioners, Jeanne Herman and Mike Clark, have consistently voted against certifying results[
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      98%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Nevada Supreme Court is asked to step into Washoe County fray over certification of recount results

      The Associated Press News Thursday, 11 July 2024 19:04
      • Unique Points
        • Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Attorney General Aaron Ford have filed a petition with the state Supreme Court to intervene in Washoe County’s decision not to certify recount results in two local races.
        • The petition requests the court to confirm the legal obligations of Washoe County commissioners regarding canvassing and certifying election results, and require them to certify the recounts from last month’s primary no later than August 22.
        • Three Republican Washoe County commissioners voted against the recount results, while another targeted by the election conspiracy theory movement joined them in the vote.
      • Accuracy
        • Nevada Secretary of State asked Nevada Supreme Court to intervene after Washoe County refused to certify recount results from the June 9 Primary Election.
        • Washoe County Board of Commissioners refused to certify the results of two local recounts from last month’s primary elections.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      92%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Nevada county refuses to certify results of two local primaries

      NBC News Digital Saturday, 13 July 2024 21:50
      • Unique Points
        • Washoe County officials refused to certify the results of two local primaries after a prominent election denier claimed fraud.
        • Robert Beadles, a supporter of former President Donald Trump and an election denier, spent $150,000 for recounts in three local races.
        • One candidate withdrew the request for a recount but officials found two-vote differences in the remaining races which had no effect on significant margins.
        • The Washoe County board of commissioners voted against certifying two primaries - for a nonpartisan school board position and a Republican county commissioner position.
        • Dozens of people spoke for and against certification at a contentious meeting, with some demanding hand counts instead of machine tabulators.
      • Accuracy
        • The outcomes of the races did not change following the recertification.
        • Three county commissioners refused to certify accurate election results as required by law.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (75%)
        The article does not contain any formal fallacies but does contain some informal fallacies and inflammatory rhetoric. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the situation. The author reports on the refusal of three Republican commissioners to certify election results without providing their own opinion on whether this was correct or incorrect.
        • . . . former President Donald Trump who has promoted election conspiracy theories...
        • Experts have long found that hand-counting ballots is more expensive, more error-prone and more time-consuming than using machine tabulators.
        • This week, three county commissioners refused to canvass accurate election results as required by law. This vote has the potential to set a dangerous precedent for elections in Nevada.
        • Washoe County, home to Reno, is the second-largest county in Nevada, with nearly a half-million residents, and it has been a hotbed of voter fraud claims despite little evidence.
      • Bias (95%)
        The article reports on local officials in Washoe County, Nevada refusing to certify the results of two local primaries due to claims of fraudulent results by a prominent election denier named Robert Beadles. The article mentions that Beadles has spent significant resources on recounts and has made unfounded claims of voter fraud in the past. The article also states that experts have found hand-counting ballots to be more expensive, error-prone, and time-consuming than using machine tabulators. These statements demonstrate a bias towards distrust of election results and an emphasis on the idea that hand counting is the only valid method for ensuring accurate results.
        • Beadles has spent years railing against Washoe County’s elections. Reuters reported that one previous registrar and several staffers quit in response to the harassment they experienced because of his claims.
          • Local officials in Washoe County, Nevada, voted Tuesday against certifying the results of two recounted primary races after a prominent election denier claimed the results were fraudulent
            • The once-routine process of certifying local election results has increasingly become a venue for pushing voter fraud claims.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication