Kootenai County takes action for National Voter Registration Day
LOREN BENOIT/Press Leigh Johnson fills out his voter registration paperwork Tuesday afternoon at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County mobilized the booth. People can also register to vote at their local libraries in Hayden, Rathdrum and Post Falls.
Democracy-minded volunteers in Kootenai County participated Tuesday in National Voter Registration Day, a nationwide effort to make sure everyone eligible to vote is registered to do so. Initiated in 2012, this national day of registering and educating voters is now held each year on the fourth Tuesday in September.
In Kootenai County, five locations had registration stations set up to assist area residents. Volunteers with local groups such as League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women were stationed at area libraries and at Heritage Health. They were there to verify voter existing voter registrations and register voters on the spot. They also provide registration cards that can be filled out and mailed in,and assisted with directions for early or absentee voting. Registration cards are always available at any area city hall, motor vehicle licensing and registration offices or the county elections office.
The upcoming elections on Nov. 7 will include city seats and fire District elections.
Open registration runs until Oct. 13, but if you do not register prior to that date you are able to register at the polls on Election Day.
To check to see if you are registered to vote, visit Idahovotes.gov. When registering to vote on Election Day, be sure to bring photo identification showing your current address. The ID must have been issued at least 30 days prior to registering to vote at that address. Without photo ID, a voter can sign a Personal Identity Affidavit. If bringing in a government-issued ID card, you will also need to bring a document including your name, current address, and it must be dated at least 30 days prior. Some examples would be a utility bill, rental agreement, credit card or bank statement or car registration. Voting must be done at the polling place within a voter’s precinct, which is determined by the address. To find your specific polling place, visit kcgov.us/elections/search/.
Early voting is possible between Oct. 16 through Nov. 3 at the Kootenai County Elections office, 1808 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene. The elections office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Absentee ballots need to be requested by Oct. 27. Requests can be mailed in, faxed, emailed or dropped off in person, to the Elections Office. The necessary forms can be obtained online at kcgov.us/elections/forms/Absentee Ballot Application.pdf, or at the elections office.
The Kootenai County Elections office can be reached at (208) 446-1030.