2010 election focuses on 2009 election

COEUR d'ALENE - The recent lawsuit that challenged the November 2009 city of Coeur d'Alene election, and placed the county's Elections Office under the legal microscope, is taking center stage in the election race for Kootenai County Clerk.

At a candidate forum, hosted Wednesday by the League of Women Voters of Kootenai County and the city of Coeur d'Alene, challenger Cliff Hayes questioned the integrity of the county clerk's office in front of about 125 people who attended the forum at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

Hayes, a Republican, is running against incumbent Dan English, a Democrat. English has served as county clerk for 15 years.

"I think the recent election has shown some dissatisfaction by some of the voters in Kootenai County, and I think that is an issue that is going to have to be addressed immediately," said Hayes, a Republican who formerly served as Post Falls police chief for 22 years, and two years as Post Falls interim city administrator.

The county elections office was hired by the city to handle the 2009 election in which a city council candidate won by five votes. The validity of some of the ballots and the election process came under fire. Following a six-day trial and months of investigation, the judge's ruling maintained the original election outcome.

"We just went through an election process that was probably the most scrutinized election in the history of Idaho," English said, and called it a "very severe test of the election system."

English admitted there are some things the elections department can learn to do better, and said he discussed some of those things earlier in the day while conducting pollworker training sessions.

"At the same time, I was very gratified that the judge at the conclusion of that case said that he was impressed with how complex elections are, and how well run the Kootenai County election was," English said.

Sholeh Patrick, an attorney and Hagadone News Network columnist, acted as moderator for the forum, asking candidates questions prepared by members of the League of Women Voters.

English and Hayes differ in their positions regarding allowing local option vote by mail and permanent absentee ballots in Idaho.

English has been a longtime supporter of allowing vote by mail.

"As for permanent absentee, I think that's not a political issue. That's just plain customer service. People don't want to have to sign up every year for their absentee ballot," English said.

Hayes said vote by mail is already being done in the state, by absentee ballot.

"The idea of changing the legislation to mandate it, wouldn't make sense," Hayes said.

Regarding permanent absentee ballots, Hayes said he thinks there should be a five-year limit with an exception for overseas military service personnel.

When asked if there were any changes they would like to see made in Idaho election laws, Hayes said he thinks there needs to be some adjustments regarding federal regulations the state has adopted for local elections, "and see if there is any way that we can clean up the process."

He again mentioned issues that came up during the recent trial.

"If we follow the current laws, I think we are in pretty good shape with minor adjustments, but we have to follow the current law," Hayes said.

English agreed with Hayes that the trial highlighted the need for clarification regarding the way the state treats state and local voters when it comes to federal code involving voters living in another country.

Previously, English said, the Idaho Secretary of State's office has mandated that federal and local voters be treated the same.

"I think this brought up an issue that needs to be examined," English said.

The county clerk's term is for four years with an annual salary of $68,958.

The County Coroner's race pits Jody Deluca Hissong, a Democrat and the county's Chief Deputy Coroner for 26 years, against Debbie Wilkey, a Republican who has served as Deputy Coroner for six years.

Both candidates touted their experience at the forum, and neither candidate feels the County Coroner should be selected by election.

Hissong said experience, ethics and job knowledge should come first.

"The coroner at the death scene doesn't care if you're Republican or Democrat, and I think the families of the deceased don't care what you are either," Hissong said. "They just want you to take care of their grandma or whoever has died."

She said if legislation were crafted that would change the position to one by appointment based on qualifications and knowledge, she would support it.

Wilkey said she would work with the public in changing the position from a partisan one, if that's what the public desires.

"I believe that when your role is to determine the cause and manner of death, it's a very close, very tense, critical time, and you can make or break people's whole life at that point. I don't believe you should have a red or blue color when you do that," Wilkey said.

In closing, each coroner candidate spoke of the endorsements they have received.

Wilkey has the nod from retiring longtime County Coroner Robert West, whom both candidates have worked under.

Hissong said she was recently endorsed by the Coeur d'Alene Police Association, and by the Kootenai County Deputy Sheriffs Association, and has the endorsement of "the current sheriff and the prior sheriff."

The coroner's position comes with an annual salary of $61,535.

Also appearing at the forum were state legislative candidates including:

• District 5, State Representative, Seat A - David Larsen and Bob Nonini;

• District 4, State Representative, Seat A - Mike Bullard and Marge Chadderdon;

• District 4, State Representative, Seat B - Paula Marano and Kathleen Sims; and

• District 4, State Senator - Jeremy Boggess, John Goedde and Ray Writz.

The entire forum was broadcast live on Coeur d'Alene city cable channel 19, and will be rebroadcast again at times to be announced.

Idaho's General Election is Nov. 2.