The Democratic primary election for the Clark County district attorney race is arguably the most important race on the ballot for Southern Nevada voters, but it has not gotten the attention that might make that obvious. The role is far-reaching, touching nearly every part of our community, including investigations of police shootings, the pursuit of death sentences for capital crimes, and the prosecution of juvenile defendants. Prosecutors are the most powerful actors in our often ineffective, unjust, and absurdly expensive criminal legal system. It's up to the voters to hold them accountable. 

I should know. I spent the first few years of my legal career working as a juvenile prosecutor for the New York City Law Department — and had the unique distinction of being the only attorney of color in my office in Queens during much of my time there. I fancied myself, a fresh graduate of Howard University School of Law, a beacon of change. I worked with a stellar team of professionals, but soon found that the system discouraged many of my colleagues and many members of the community from believing real change was possible — because they saw that, despite lip service to equal enforcement, the overwhelming majority of those brought into court were Black and Brown boys.

I learned that without bold leadership in the top spot pushing for equal justice under the law — aka the district attorney’s office — very little reform is likely to occur. That was my experience in New York City, and it’s also the case in Southern Nevada.

District attorneys decide who will be detained in jail before their court date, and who will be sent to state prison. They decide what crimes to charge, and they control the plea deals offered. The district attorney’s office also constitutes a powerful and strategic lobbying apparatus, often opposing sensible reform efforts that would reduce incarceration and create more effective, less costly alternatives to jails and prisons.

The people of Clark County have the power to do something different. At the ACLU of Nevada, we’re excited to call attention to this primary race through our Smart Justice Nevada campaign. We’re investing in voter education and mobilization to make sure Clark County residents understand the role of a district attorney. With early voting under way, we believe it’s critical that South Nevadans know about the issues in our community, and what the candidates in the primary believe on important civil rights issues.

District attorneys who support criminal legal reform can be a powerful force for making long-overdue changes to laws that would reduce mass incarceration and racial disparities. A growing number of forward-thinking district attorneys across the country are leading the way in altering this culture and carrying out new approaches. These leaders understand that focusing on obtaining convictions and securing severe prison sentences does not necessarily make our community safer. Instead, it's a major driver of mass incarceration that simply compounds racial disparities throughout the justice system. 

The Clark County district attorney has unparalleled power to push for more punishment for some defendants and no punishment at all for others, often in ways that are largely hidden from public view. They do so at the people’s expense. 

Reforms can make our community safer. By not focusing on minor infractions, such as simple drug possession, district attorneys can turn their attention to violent crimes that actually make the community less safe. Reform-oriented district attorneys can also direct resources to deal with the root causes behind most crimes, including getting people help with mental and behavioral health or housing and economic opportunities.  

We all care about keeping our communities safe and healthy, so it’s time to make sure that Southern Nevada voters get to know the primary candidates for district attorney and their positions. This is the most important race on the primary ballot, so let’s get out and vote like it.

Athar Haseebullah is the executive director of the ACLU of Nevada. He lives in Las Vegas. For more information about Smart Justice Nevada, visit smartjusticenv.org.