It isn't easy being a democrat in North Idaho. Especially a democrat and a reporter.

I've covered so many tea parties, republican forums and rallies I thought my blood pressure would explode. But I do my best to keep my opinions to myself, sticking with generic comments like "well, there was a great turnout," or "gosh, they nailed the venue," when asked my thoughts.

I lock my retorts away inside while I write my articles, and wait to share my stance at the one place I am invariably allowed: The polling station.

At least until this year.

My stomach did a little twisting when I read about Idaho holding a closed Republican primary this May. While the democratic party, that good ol' party of joiners, is allowing anyone to fill out a democrat primary ballot, only registered republicans can fill in bubbles on the GOP ballot.

That wouldn't be an issue, except for one glaring fact: Nearly all county candidates - except for a couple independents - have an R by their names. That includes the half population of Post Falls running for Commissioner Todd Tondee's seat.

Clearly, most of the races will be decided in May, not November.

Did I mention I cover the county beat? Whoever wins these elections I will interact with constantly. I have written most of the stories about their candidate announcements, I will follow their progress as elected officials and I will talk with them one-on-one every week.

Of course I care. Of course I want to vote.

So my choice was clear: Register republican, or vote democrat and give up my say in the county's new sheriff, prosecuting attorney and districts 1 and 3 commissioners.

Maybe that seems like an easy choice to some.

But a coworker of mine understood. "You'll have to walk around knowing, with that feeling inside," he joked about checking republican on a party affiliation form.

It's kind of true. I once interviewed a woman who spoke at a Democratic Club meeting and asked me to note in the story that she was actually republican.

"Other people may not care," she said. "But it's important to me."

I totally understood. I feel the same way. I don't think republicans are out to bring about the apocalypse, but I've had education and life experiences that led me to put my political stock where I do. Being a democrat is one of the primary ways I classify myself, after woman, reporter, genius.

But I have to vote.

So earlier this month, I steered into the Elections Department parking lot, marched in and grudgingly - oh so achingly grudgingly - marked myself a republican on a party affiliation form. There was a bit of chill that ran down my spine. I walked out knowing that now I could vote in the primary, yet feeling like a bit of an interloper in the process.

I admit every now and then it just pops into my head: I'm registered republican.

It's a little silly, really. I'm way too poor to be a valid member of that party.

But I try to put it all in perspective. Truly, none of the county offices are really partisan positions at all. The sheriff and commissioners won't make any decisions that significantly address party platforms.

So this May I will comfortably fill in bubbles for the republicans I have faith in to serve our county well. I hope many others will do likewise.

Even if they're democrats on the inside. After all, that party affiliation form can be filled out again.

Alecia Warren is a staff writer for The Press. She can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2011, or via e-mail at awarren@cdapress.com.

It isn't easy being a Democrat in North Idaho. Especially a Democrat and a reporter.

I've covered so many tea parties, Republican forums and rallies I thought my blood pressure would explode. But I do my best to keep my opinions to myself, sticking with generic comments like "well, there was a great turnout," or "gosh, they nailed the venue," when asked my thoughts.

I lock my retorts away inside while I write my articles, and wait to share my stance at the one place I am invariably allowed: The polling station.

At least until this year.

My stomach did a little twisting when I read about Idaho holding a closed Republican primary this May. While the Democratic party, that good ol' party of joiners, is allowing anyone to fill out a Democrat primary ballot, only registered republicans can fill in bubbles on the GOP ballot.

That wouldn't be an issue, except for one glaring fact: Nearly all county candidates - except for a couple independents - have an R by their names. That includes half the population of Post Falls running for Commissioner Todd Tondee's seat.

Clearly, most of the races will be decided in May, not November.

Did I mention I cover the county beat? Whoever wins these elections I will interact with constantly. I have written most of the stories about their candidate announcements, I will follow their progress as elected officials and I will talk with them one-on-one every week.

Of course I care. Of course I want to vote.

So my choice was clear: Register Republican, or vote Democrat and give up my say in the county's new sheriff, prosecuting attorney and districts 1 and 3 commissioners.

Maybe that seems like an easy choice to some.

But a coworker of mine understood. "You'll have to walk around knowing, with that feeling inside," he joked about checking Republican on a party affiliation form.

It's kind of true. I once interviewed a woman who spoke at a Democratic Club meeting and asked me to note in the story that she was actually Republican.

"Other people may not care," she said. "But it's important to me."

I totally understood. I feel the same way. I don't think Republicans are out to bring about the apocalypse, but I've had education and life experiences that led me to put my political stock where I do. Being a Democrat is one of the primary ways I classify myself, after woman, reporter, genius.

But I have to vote.

So earlier this month, I steered into the Elections Department parking lot, marched in and grudgingly - oh so achingly grudgingly - marked myself a Republican on a party affiliation form. There was a bit of chill that ran down my spine. I walked out knowing that now I could vote in the primary, yet feeling like a bit of an interloper in the process.

I admit every now and then it just pops into my head: I'm registered Republican.

It's a little silly, really. I'm way too poor to be a valid member of that party.

But I try to put it all in perspective. Truly, none of the county offices are really partisan positions at all. The sheriff and commissioners won't make any decisions that significantly address party platforms.

So this May I will comfortably fill in bubbles for the Republicans I have faith in to serve our county well. I hope many others will do likewise.

Even if they're Democrats on the inside. After all, that party affiliation form can be filled out again.

Alecia Warren is a staff writer for The Press. She can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2011, or via e-mail at awarren@cdapress.com.