MY TURN: Your vote is your voice

As we enter another pre-election spring season, many are already groaning with the expected signs all over lawns and streets, letters in the media glorifying one candidate or tearing down opposition, personal mail being laden with flashy flyers, — it’s no wonder that the general number of registered voters often has a poor turnout; barely 30% of registered voters participated in our last mid-year election.

Seems like our society is now being overwhelmed with information but underwhelmed with facts. Where can one go to find the truth and reality of what is being told to us? Who can you actually trust? Many today are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the political climate, thereby becoming more disengaged. People are beginning to think their vote doesn't count or make a difference, so they don’t vote. In making that choice, they are giving their voice to the minority. The local elections are a good example of that. Numerous voices are pointing out, “Representative government is the basis of this country — don’t give it away or you’re slowly giving up your freedom.”

The current direction of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) is to do just that — work to pass state-level laws to keep us from choosing our own candidates in the Republican Primary. They tell us they know better who to put in positions of power than the voter does, ergo an artificial “vetting system” that tells us who the best candidates are to elect. And if the rest of those registered as Republicans don’t follow their lead, they want to be able to kick them out of the party for a period of time. They call people undeserved names and avoid the truth of the opposition in their materials. Check out the recent proposed Republican rule entitled “Proposed Party Rule XX11 Party Integrity Enforcement” passed by the Benewah Central Committee on Nov. 11, 2025. The KCRCC is trying to do the same thing, hoping to see this rule go statewide.

Representative government is the basis of this country. Don’t give that away to any one group or person. The leadership of the KCRCC often presents candidates on their flashy postcards listing the KCRCC's vetted choices (they state) who are not qualified for the jobs they seek, but are often obedient followers of the KCRCC leadership. NIC Leadership, library board members, some school district board members, the county assessor, etc., are just a few examples of unqualified people who sought political positions following the KCRCC’s direction. These were not choices in the best interest of the people they represent, as history has shown. They may be fine folk, just not qualified for the position to which they were elected. But they do follow the agenda of the present KCRCC leadership’s extreme vision, and that has proven hurtful to the community.

All levels of government control must be left to all people, not a select group of individuals following a predetermined agenda that may not be in the best interest of everyone. Mechanistic mind control, which the KCRCC often exhibits, limits one’s exposure to diverse views, drives confusion and allows one view to gain acceptance.

Apathy about your vote is costing you freedoms down the road. Each of us is important to the freedom of all. Your voice matters, and real strength is speaking truth with courage; vote with facts, not your emotions or someone else’s twisted words. Every election is important.

Go to kcgov.us and link to “Elections” for an absentee ballot, to find your polling place, or to get your questions answered.

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Bev Twillmann is a resident of Harrison.