Press editorial: Be a player in May primary

Because the Republican Party dominates Idaho politics, most hard-fought and important local races won't be decided in November. The real battles will be waged during the May 15 primary.

That's when, for instance, the five announced candidates for Kootenai County sheriff - Republicans all - will square off. That's also when two Republican-held seats on the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, the Republican county prosecutor's job, the all-Republican Idaho legislative races in Kootenai County and more will be up for grabs.

But as it stands right now, many Kootenai County voters won't have a say in how the Republican primary comes out. That's because for the first time, only registered Republicans will be able to cast ballots for Republican candidates.

In the past, Democrats, Libertarians, Constitutionalists and even those not choosing a party could vote in the Republican primary. All a registered voter needed to do was show up at her or his polling place and request the party ballot of choice. Because the Republican Party last year chose to close its primary to non-Republicans, this will be the first election of its kind.

On the surface, limiting Republican ballots to registered Republicans makes sense. The whole purpose of a primary is for members of a party to promote the best candidates to represent them in the general election. But look a little deeper.

As of last July, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa reports, roughly 742,000 registered Idaho voters were not affiliated with any political party. That figure reflects the powerful sector of independent voters, many of whom tend to vote Republican but don't like being labeled as a member of any specific party. And it is this group that will be shut out by Republicans in a closed primary.

That's not an accident. Democrats aren't the only enemy in the eyes of some in Republican leadership; moderate-leaning independent voters can also derail the dreams of extremists. But what will you do about it?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We're not suggesting Democrats formally switch their political affiliation just so they can join the primary fun, but we do urge independent voters, especially those who lean Republican anyway, to fill out a Republican party affiliation form pronto.

You can download the form at http://www.kcgov.us/elections/party.asp

You can mail the completed form or fax it to the elections department at 446-1039.

Everyone else can visit the elections department at 1808 N. Third St. in Coeur d'Alene or call 446-1030.