OPINION: KCRCC Corner — What's on your ballot?
As you probably know, the general election is Tuesday, November 3. And here’s something new this year: many people, regardless of political party, received an application for an absentee ballot in the mail. All sides view this election as crucial.
There are important decisions to be made in every election, and this one is no different. You’ll have choices in partisan federal, state, and county races, as well as nonpartisan ballot questions involving school levies, constitutional amendments, and judicial retention.
Your ballot is two pages long, and both the front and back of each page must be completed. With so many items to consider, be prepared to spend more time than usual filling in the boxes.
Keep in mind that not every ballot in Kootenai County is the same. Your address decides what appears on your ballot. The legislative district, precinct, and city determine which taxing districts you belong to and, therefore, which candidates and measures you’ll be voting on.
Here’s a general rundown of what may appear on your ballot.
FEDERAL RACES: One U.S. Senator and one U.S. House of Representative.
STATE RACES: Seven positions — Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Controller, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
LEGISLATIVE RACES: One State Senator and two State House of Representatives.
COUNTY RACES: Six positions — two County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor, and County Coroner.
LOCAL NONPARTISAN RACES: Various magistrate judge positions and two North Idaho College (NIC) Board of Trustees seats.
SCHOOL LEVIES: Coeur d’Alene School District #271, Post Falls School District #273, Kootenai Joint School District #274, and Plummer-Worley School District #44.
FIRE DISTRICT LEVIES: Northern Lakes Fire Protection District and Spirit Lake Fire Protection District.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
• Proposition 1 — Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act: Would change Idaho’s current law to allow abortion up to the point when a baby can survive outside the womb.
• HJR 4: A proposed constitutional amendment giving the Legislature exclusive authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, and other psychoactive substances in Idaho.
• HJR 6: A proposed constitutional amendment designating English as Idaho’s official state language. Government speeches, meetings, and other proceedings, as well as public school instruction, would be conducted in English.
• House Bill 932: Would designate an official state gun for Idaho.
If you live in the city of Harrison, you’ll also have an opportunity to vote on a local option to increase revenue through a non-property tax — a funding approach that is gaining attention.
For more detailed descriptions of ballot measures, consult the Idaho Voter Information Pamphlet provided by the Office of the Secretary of State.
KCRCC Recommended Candidates & Ballot Issues
As usual, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) has produced a sample ballot listing its recommended candidates and ballot positions to help you make your selections. You can find it at www.kootenaigop.org.
Why Do You Vote?
We are blessed to live in a constitutional republic where citizens elect representatives who make and enforce the laws of the land. We the People are sovereign, and we elect representatives to act on our behalf.
Why Don’t You Vote?
In the 2022 midterm election, voter turnout among registered voters was approximately 54%. Let’s put that in perspective: nearly half of registered voters did not cast a ballot.
The Declaration of Independence states that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The people must not abdicate that privilege. Otherwise, those who govern may no longer feel compelled to listen to the voices of the people they represent.
How do you motivate people to vote? Facts? Statistics? Emotion? Shame? Fear? A sense of responsibility? Even Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane doesn’t have all the answers. The best we can do is provide information and make voting as convenient as possible.
The 2026 midterm elections are crucial because they will help determine which party controls Congress and the direction our country will take. Unbelievably, in parts of our nation, candidates who identify as socialists are running for office.
Final Reminders
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 23. Completed ballots must be received by the Kootenai County Elections Office by 8:00 p.m. on November 3. But don’t wait until the last minute — aim to return your ballot by November 1.
Early voting at the Kootenai County Elections Office is scheduled to begin Monday, October 19, and continue through October 30. That gives you two weeks to make your selections and cast your ballot in person during office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lastly, do you have a “No on Prop 1” sign in your yard? If so, thank you for putting yourself out there and standing for life. Now, don’t forget to make your support count and vote. Here in Kootenai County, we need to turn out in strong numbers and make our voices heard to outvote those other counties that aren’t as conservative. Every vote will matter.
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Jenny Holmes is a KCRCC State Commiteewoman and liaison to the KCRCC Communications Committee.