Kootenai County voters turn out early

Early voting opened Monday in Kootenai County, and voters began trickling into the elections department to make their voices heard.

This year, North Idaho Indivisible is hosting two social gatherings each weekday Oct. 19 through Oct. 28 to encourage citizens to vote early. Participants gather at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Union Roasters coffee shop for a casual get-together before walking to the elections department together to cast their ballots.

“To reduce the risk of not being able to vote because of something unexpected happening, it’s good to vote here early,” said participant Marsha Becker. “I feel really good about having done this now, It’s done.”

Early voting takes place Oct. 19-30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elections Department. According to Kootenai County Elections Director Asa Gray, about 40% to 50% of voters cast their ballots during early voting, while the other 50% to 60% wait until Election Day.

Gray said turnout on the first day of early voting was very “robust” and that he expects 8,000 to 12,000 people to vote over the next two weeks.

“Sometimes if people are busy working, busy with their lives, there’s a question of whether they will be able to make it to the polls on election day,” said Gray, “so early voting is another option for them.”

Becker and Mia Groth voted Monday afternoon at North Idaho Indivisible’s early voting event. They said they prefer voting early because lines are shorter, there is less chaos and pressure, and they have a second chance if something goes wrong.

“I saw several people having to go back and get a new ballot because they made a mistake. Well, if you have to wait in line again, how likely are you to do that?” Groth said. “Now you’ve got no pressure, it’s relaxed.”

According to Gray, voters should anticipate wait times of 10 to 45 minutes on Nov. 3, depending on the location and time of day.

“People should expect with our two-page ballot this election, it will take a bit longer to vote,” Gray said.

Becker and Groth said they prefer to vote in person to avoid losing or delaying their ballots in the mail. Ballots arriving after Nov. 3 will not be counted.

According to Gray, voters who receive an absentee ballot can still vote in person. However, they need to tell the registration desk upon arrival that they choose to surrender their absentee ballot.

According to Gray, one of the most common mistakes voters make at the polls is forgetting to re-register after moving to a new address.

“A lot of times they don’t realize they need to do that until they arrive at the polls,” Gray said. “If the voter has not taken the time to look into what they might need, that could impact their ability to register.”

Groth said checking voter registration before Election Day can prevent this issue. Voters may register in person on Election Day but must bring a photo ID and proof of address.

Disabilities are another obstacle many citizens face when casting a ballot, but Gray said voters may request assistance from poll workers and fellow voters under Idaho law. He added that the elections department has ADA-accessible voting machines with features to help those with hearing, vision or mobility impairments fill out their ballots.

“We have had local races decided by simply a couple hundred votes, we’ve even had coin tosses or recounts,” said Gray. “So every vote counts.”

Kootenai County voters are invited to join North Idaho Indivisible’s early voting gatherings at Union Coffee Roasters on North Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene. Gatherings take place at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. through Oct. 28.

  

    Early voters enjoying the short wait times at the elections department on Monday. AUDREY HERRIN/Press
  

    Idaho voter registration forms at the Kootenai County Elections Department.