Understanding the Clark County Home Rule Charter

Imagine sitting down to play a game of Monopoly. Everyone knows the board, the pieces, and the goal—to see how the game plays out. But the real question is: what rules are we playing by? Are we using the official ones, the “house rules” your family always used, or some mix of both?

That’s where the Clark County Home Rule Charter comes in. Think of the Charter as the rulebook for how our county government operates. It lays out how decisions are made, who has authority, and how power is divided—just like Monopoly tells you how to buy property, collect rent, or go to jail.

Now, here’s the unique part: Clark County voters created a Charter Review Commission, a group of citizens chosen to periodically look at this rulebook. They aren’t playing the game themselves—they’re more like referees or game designers. Their job is to suggest adjustments, fix gaps, or propose new rules when the old ones no longer fit.

For example, they might recommend clearer rules on how elected officials work together, how initiatives get on the ballot, or how departments are managed. But in the end, you—the voters—decide whether those new rules get added to the game.

So when you hear “Home Rule Charter,” picture your Monopoly board. The Charter is the set of rules. The Charter Review Commission helps make sure those rules still make sense. And the people of Clark County get the final say on whether to stick with the old rules or add new ones.