Nevada's Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar has sought intervention from the Nevada Supreme Court after Washoe County refused to certify the recount results from the June 9 Primary Election. Attorney General Aaron Ford filed a petition on behalf of Aguilar, urging the court to compel Washoe County officials to certify the results as required by state law. Both Ford and Aguilar expressed concern that this refusal undermines voter confidence in the election process, stating that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for future elections in Nevada.
The refusal by the Washoe County Commissioners to certify the recount results, which did not alter the original outcomes, saw a 3-2 vote split along party lines. Republican Commissioners Michael Clark, Jeanne Herman, and Clara Andriola voted against certification, while Democratic Commissioners Alexis Hill and Mariluz Garcia voted in favor. Ford criticized the commissioners' decision, stating that it failed to meet the expectations of Nevada voters for accurate reflection of election results, and Washoe County is scheduled to reconsider the vote on July 16.
This incident follows previous opposition from Washoe officials to certify election results, with Clark and Herman also voting against certifying the county’s original canvass back in June. Voting advocates, including Kerry Durmick from All Voting is Local Nevada, have warned that such actions are attempts to spread misinformation and erode trust in the democratic process. Durmick emphasized the importance of honoring voters' will, highlighting that the legal action taken by Ford on behalf of Aguilar is necessary to ensure that voters' voices are heard and their votes respected.