As Clark County approaches the 2026 general election, voters will be asked to make decisions that reach far beyond national politics. While statewide and federal races often dominate headlines, many of the most consequential decisions for Southern Nevada happen at the local level — in county offices, city halls, courtrooms, school boards, and public agencies.

This issue of Vegas Legal Magazine highlights several candidates and incumbents running for public office throughout Clark County. Some are seeking judicial positions. Others are running for county, city, education, or administrative offices. Each race is different, but all share a common theme: these positions shape the institutions that affect our courts, businesses, neighborhoods, families, and daily lives.

This guide is intended to help readers better understand the offices on the ballot, what those positions do, how voting works, and when voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots.

When We Vote

The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with early voting from Saturday, October 17 through Friday, October 30, 2026. The general election determines who is ultimately elected to office. Clark County’s published election calendar identifies these dates as key dates for the 2026 election cycle.

How We Vote

Clark County voters generally have three ways to cast a ballot.

Voters may vote by mail, using the mail ballot sent to registered voters unless they have opted out. Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered to an official ballot drop-off location.

Voters may also vote early in person at designated early voting sites throughout Clark County. Early voting provides a convenient option for voters who want to avoid Election Day lines or need flexibility in their schedule.

Finally, voters may vote in person on Election Day at a designated voting location. All voters should confirm their registration status, polling options, mail ballot status, and deadlines through the Clark County Election Department before voting. Clark County’s Election Department maintains election information, voting site details, mail ballot information, and candidate resources for the 2026 cycle.

County Commission

County Commission races are among the most important local contests in Clark County. Commissioners oversee county budgets, zoning, land use, business licensing, public safety coordination, parks, roads, social services, and policies affecting unincorporated Clark County.

In 2026, Clark County Commission Districts E, F, and G are part of the election cycle, according to Clark County’s current contests and candidates list.

For the legal and business communities, County Commission races matter because commission decisions affect development, licensing, infrastructure, economic growth, public services, and the regulatory environment in which many local businesses operate.

Countywide Offices

Several countywide offices are also part of the 2026 election cycle. These offices may not always receive the attention of higher-profile races, but they are essential to the operation of local government.

The District Attorney serves as the county’s chief prosecutor and also provides legal representation to county government. This office affects criminal justice, victim services, public safety policy, and civil matters involving the county.

The County Assessor determines all taxable property values, which affects the property tax assessments for homeowners, commercial property owners, and even local government revenue.

The County Clerk manages key public records and services, including marriage licenses and other official county functions.

The County Recorder maintains real estate records and other official documents, making the office important to property owners, title companies, lenders, attorneys, and businesses.

The County Treasurer collects and distributes property taxes and manages county funds.

The Public Administrator handles certain estates when someone passes away and there is no appropriate person available to administer the estate.

The Sheriff is also listed among Clark County offices up for election in 2026 by election reference sources. The Sheriff leads local law enforcement functions and plays a significant role in public safety leadership.

Judicial Offices

Judicial races are especially relevant to the readers of Vegas Legal Magazine. Judges shape the administration of justice in civil, criminal, family, probate, business, and constitutional matters. They affect how cases move, how rules are applied, how disputes are resolved, and how litigants experience the court system.

In 2026, voters will see judicial races that may include seats for the Nevada Supreme Court, the Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Court, and various Municipal Courts, depending on the voter’s jurisdiction. Clark County’s candidate filing resources include judicial candidate materials and the current contests and candidates list includes multiple judicial contests.

Judicial races are nonpartisan. Candidates do not appear on the ballot with a political party label. For that reason, voters may want to pay close attention to each candidate’s legal experience, courtroom background, temperament, professional reputation, and understanding of the role of the judiciary.
City Offices

City races vary depending on where a voter lives. Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Mesquite, Boulder City, and other municipalities may have mayoral, city council, or municipal court races on the ballot.

City councils make decisions involving local development, public safety priorities, roads, parks, redevelopment, business licensing, homelessness policy, and neighborhood services. Municipal court judges handle city-level legal matters, including misdemeanor and traffic cases.

For voters, city races often have a direct impact on daily life because city officials make decisions about the services and policies residents encounter most frequently.

Education Offices

Some voters will see education-related races, including school board and Board of Regents contests.

School board members influence local education policy, budgets, accountability, school operations, and long-term planning. The Board of Regents oversees the Nevada System of Higher Education, including UNLV, the College of Southern Nevada, Nevada State University, and other public higher education institutions.

These races can affect students, families, employers, workforce development, professional training, and even the future of Nevada’s education system.

Special Districts and Local Boards

Depending on where they live, some voters may also see races for water districts, power districts, town advisory boards, or other important local boards.

Although these races often receive less attention, they can affect utilities, infrastructure, rural services, local planning, and community priorities. Voters should review their individual sample ballot to determine which local boards apply to them.

Why These Races Matter

The purpose of this election issue is not only to introduce candidates, but also to help readers understand the offices those candidates seek. A judicial candidate is not running for the same type of role as a county commissioner. A city council candidate serves a different function than a county recorder, treasurer, or school trustee. Each office carries a distinct responsibility, and each should be evaluated according to the duties of that position.

For the legal community, these races are particularly important. Judges determine how justice is administered. County officials affect public records, prosecutions, estates, taxes, and land use. City officials shape local business conditions and neighborhood policy. Education officials influence the workforce and future professional pipeline.

As Clark County continues to grow, the people elected to these offices will help determine how Southern Nevada manages that growth, resolves disputes, protects public trust, and delivers essential services.

Voters are encouraged to read the candidate and incumbent profiles in this issue, review their sample ballots, confirm current election information, and make informed decisions in every race.

Election information is subject to change. Voters should confirm final candidates, races, voting locations, mail ballot deadlines, and registration status with the Clark County Election Department before voting.