Secretary of State McGrane talks voter education, election security in visit to Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County voters were able to hear from Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane and Kootenai County Clerk Jennifer Locke during the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s Beyond the Ballot Luncheon on Tuesday.  

McGrane and Locke spoke in depth about November’s upcoming election, including voter education and election security. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe was the presenting sponsor for Tuesday’s luncheon, and Coeur d'Alene Chamber President and CEO Linda Coppess moderated the discussion.  

McGrane, a strong advocate for voter education, said he hopes that updated voter tools on voteidaho.gov will “empower voters to make more informed choices.” 

Voters can find information on how to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, view a sample ballot, find their closest polling location and more.  

McGrane said that while the biggest draw to the polls is typically the presidential election, voters are often less informed on the local issues and candidates that are also on the ballot. 

“I really think that for us to be best as voters ... we need to know what we’re voting on,” McGrane said. 

Last Friday, McGrane and all 44 of Idaho’s county clerks signed the 12 Principles of Idaho Elections to reiterate the state’s commitment to integrity and transparency ahead of the Nov. 5 election. 

“This is a promise to every Idaho voter that we, as Idaho’s election officials, will uphold the highest standards of security and access in every election,” said McGrane during last week’s presentation of the 12 Principles. “No matter where you live or how you choose to vote, you can have confidence that the election process will be easy and accessible and your vote is secure.” 

Locke said at Tuesday’s luncheon that many steps are taken at the county level to ensure votes cast in Kootenai County are counted and kept secure — before, during and after an election.  

Currently, county voting machines are undergoing rigorous logic and accuracy testing, Locke said. Locke and other county officials are also working to ensure that voters who have passed away or are otherwise unable to vote are not sent a ballot.  

“You’re fortunate to have someone who really cares about this process,” McGrane said about Locke’s work. “People like Jennifer and Asa Gray are working behind the scenes to ensure your vote is secure.” Asa Gray works alongside Locke as the Kootenai County elections manager.  

Kootenai County — and the state of Idaho — boasted a “higher than average” voter turnout in previous elections, which McGrane is confident will be seen again Nov. 5.  

“Idaho will break records this election, I have no doubt,” McGrane said.