Contested county, state races may boost turnout

COEUR d'ALENE — Elections officials believe two contested Kootenai County Commission races and the governor's race could lead to better-than-usual voter turnout for Tuesday's primary election.

"It will not reach the level of a general election, but with the contested races that are on the ballot, we could see a better turnout than most primaries," Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon said.

Kootenai County voter turnout for primaries in recent years ranged from 21.22 percent in 2012 to 22.61 percent in 2016.

"It's been pretty consistent," Brannon said.

The two-week early voting period at the county Elections Office concluded on Friday.

Total early votes casted were 1,584, including 331 on Friday. The county also sent out 4,059 absentee ballots and 2,635 of those were returned by Friday's deadline.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters should bring their photo identification.

Party ballots in Kootenai County will include candidates for:

- Idaho's 1st District in Congress.

- attorney general.

- governor.

- lieutenant governor.

- secretary of state.

- state controller.

- state treasurer.

- superintendent of public instruction.

- one state Senate seat in each of the county's three legislative districts.

- two state representative seats in each of the county's three districts.

County positions up for election include: District 1 commissioner, District 3 commissioner, assessor, clerk, coroner, treasurer and precinct committeemen.

Nonpartisan ballots will include judges and ballot questions including: Idaho Supreme Court justice, district court judge, Court of Appeals judge, Spirit Lake city revenue bond, Northern Lakes Fire District override levy and Greenferry Water and Sewer District revenue bond.

If voters are not registered, they may do so at their precinct polls on Tuesday.

Voters who have moved or changed names must re-register. They must bring a photo identification and proof of residency such as a utility bill or auto insurance certificate with the voter’s current residence address listed, dated at least 30 days prior to the voting date.

To be a registered voter, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 by Tuesday, a legal resident of Idaho and the county for 30 days before an election and not have any legal disqualifications.

For additional elections information, call Kootenai County at 208-446-1030 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday or visit http://www.kcgov.us/elections/.