Write-ins and a boatload of absentee ballots

Kootenai County elections staff mailed out 1,416 absentee ballots on Friday, the first day of absentee ballot mailing for the Nov. 5 election.

Elections Manager Carrie Phillips said her counterparts in Ada and Canyon counties, each with populations that dwarf Kootenai County's, were surprised by the amount of interest in absentee voting in Kootenai County's city and fire district elections.

“Ada County expected to mail about 500 ballots, and Canyon County anticipated mailing 300 ballots,” Phillips said, in a press release.

By Tuesday’s 5 p.m. filing deadline for write-in candidates, four more hopefuls joined election races in Athol, Harrison and Stateline.

Daniel Ratcliff is seeking election to the Athol City Council.

Tim Arnold is running for mayor in Harrison.

Robert L. Wilson is running for mayor in Stateline.

Janice Fox is seeking election to the Stateline City Council.

Sample ballots have been posted to the County’s website:

http://www.kcgov.us/elections/sample/2013_City-Fire/

Early voting will begin Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the County Elections office, 1808 N. Third Street in Coeur d’Alene.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that week and the following week.

The office will also be open on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for early voting.

Additional voting hours through the rest of the month are posted on the County’s Elections home page, linked here: http://www.kcgov.us/elections/