Augustine's name still on ballot

State Controller Kathy Augustine died Tuesday after suffering a massive heart attack during the weekend that had left her in a coma.

Her name, however, is still on the ballot for election as state treasurer.

There are two other Republicans vying for the seat: Mark DeStefano and Joseph Pitts; all three candidates' names will appear on the Aug. 15 primary election ballot. Democrats Kate Marshall and Geoffrey VanderPal are seeking the office, too.

"We'll post notices about Kathy Augustine's death," said Alan Glover, Carson City's clerk-recorder and head of elections operations, to let people know she died. The posting is required by state law.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw their names from ballots before printing was May 23.

"By statute, (Augustine's) name remains on ballot, at least through the primary," said John Trent, public information officer for the Secretary of State's Office.

According to Nevada Revised Statutes, Chap. 293, "A vacancy occurring in a political party nomination for a partisan office may be filled by a candidate designated by the party central committee of the county or state, as the case may be ..."

The Republican Central Committee would have until Aug. 22, a week after the election, to name a replacement to represent the party in the general election on Nov. 7 if Augustine were to win the primary, Trent said.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.