Idaho GOP to address military voting issue

Idaho Republican Party leaders said they plan to address the concern of military men and women overseas and homebound residents not being able to vote during the March 6, 2012, GOP Caucus.

In an email to Idaho GOP Chairman Norm Semanko, and Executive Director Jonathan Parker on Friday, Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, and Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, urged the party to address the issue.

"Unless we are mistaken, the requirement for voters to be physically present at the caucus meeting in order to cast a vote takes the privilege of voting away from our military men and women," the legislators wrote.

They called for a method of absentee voting for military men and women.

In a response, Semanko said the party has heard the concern throughout the state. It will be on the agenda for the Rules Committee and the State Central Committee to consider during the party's winter meeting in Boise on Jan. 7.