ELECTIONS: Integrity essentials

Election integrity has been a national hot-button issue the past few years, but until the November 2021 election, I never doubted the integrity of our local Kootenai County elections or our poll workers, who so generously donate their time to serve our community.

Unfortunately, an allegation was made against a precinct 19 poll worker caught distributing anti-CRT literature with ballots in November (“Election complaint still not over,” 11 Nov. 2021). It has been three months since the allegation was made, but as of two weeks ago, the public had yet to see any kind of resolution.

I emailed my concerns to our prosecuting attorney, Barry McHugh, and he promptly and kindly replied to let me know actions were being taken and the public would be informed more when possible. As this letter goes to The Press, I have learned a criminal complaint was filed on Jan. 12 and a trial is planned for May. This is encouraging, and while these events remind us of the important role citizen complaints and good journalism play in our country, I am also hopeful the outcome will send a clear message to future poll workers: Electioneering will not be overlooked or tolerated in Kootenai County.

We must take reports of non-integral poll workers seriously if we are to ensure the community’s faith in our local elections.

LINDSEY BARBER

Post Falls