ELECTION: Process in place, and working

This letter is in response to the recent court decision regarding the upholding of voter registration status for a Kootenai County voter, in this case District 3 Senatorial candidate Steve Vick.

The suit was brought by incumbent Senator Mike Jorgenson, a politics-as-usual effort to disqualify and discredit one's political opponent. The suit also cast a shadow over the validity of the Kootenai County elections process and thereby also discredit our current county clerk, Dan English, who is also seeking reelection.

Judge Luster ruled in Dan's favor, upholding Dan's decision to retain Steve Vick on the voter registration roll, in accordance with the Idaho Secretary of State's established protocol. That the court upheld the validity of Dan's action also helps assure all Kootenai County voters that the elections process continues to be conducted according to the letter of the law and that their own right to vote is being protected.

PAULA NEILS

Hauser