COEUR d'ALENE - Preparation is well under way for the May 25 primary.

Although the filing period for candidates isn't until March 8-19, plenty of locals have announced their campaigns early.

"It certainly sounds like there might be a lot of activity," said Kootenai County Clerk Dan English.

The purpose of the primary election is to winnow down county, state and federal candidates for each party.

Two ballots will be available for voters to choose between, one Republican, one Democrat.

Each will list the members of that party running for open offices, and voters will pick the candidates they want to run in November's general election.

Technically a primary is a party selection process, English said, but anyone can participate, as it's funded by taxpayers and, after all, selecting who will campaign to be their future leaders.

The primary might be the only chance to vote for multiple candidates for some offices, English said, like in instances where multiple Republicans but no Democrats are running for a seat.

"Essentially then the election is over at the primary," he said. "If people want to really have a choice, they need to vote."

Voters can only fill out a Republican or Democrat ballot, English said, though they don't have to disclose their choice because Idaho has open ballot primaries.

"If they cross over in a certain race, say on the commissioner race, then we would void the vote on that office," he said. "But we wouldn't void their own ballot."

The ballot will include two county commissioner seats: The District 2 seat, currently held by Rick Currie, and the District 3 seat, held by Rich Piazza.

The District 2 seat will have a four-year term, and District 3 a two-year term.

Commissioner Currie hasn't officially announced that he is running, but if he does, he will face at least two challengers in the District 2 Republican primary: Interior designer Jai Nelson of Coeur d'Alene and Chris Fillios, a Coeur d'Alene real estate agent.

Commissioner Piazza, a Republican, has posted campaign signs but hasn't officially announced that he is running. Republican Dan Green, chairman of the county Planning and Zoning Commission, has declared his candidacy for that seat.

The ballot will also include the county clerk position, which incumbent English, a Democrat, has announced he will try to retain.

Other offices up for election will include the county treasurer, assessor and coroner, as well as precinct committee members. On Friday, Assessor Mike McDowell announced his re-election bid.

State seats will also be included.

In all cases, a simple majority wins, English said.

A magistrate judge will also be on both ballots. That position only runs for retention, according to the Secretary of State's office.

Although independents must file in March, they will not be included in the primary elections because they don't belong to one of the two main parties.

Residents can file for absentee ballots now, English said. Folks can vote absentee in person, usually two to four weeks prior to the election.

"We are always optimistic about voter turnout," English said, "though sometimes we get disappointed."