My jaw was clenched, my stomach was churning and my hands were shaking when I checked the box at the elections office. And I was not even voting yet! I was being forced to “declare” a party affiliation so that I could exercise my right to vote in Idaho.

Two Kootenai County commissioners, sheriff and prosecuting attorney will be virtually decided on the Republican ballot at the Idaho primary election on May 15 by members of the Republican party only. A few will make the decision for all of Kootenai County.

Not only is the Republican party dysfunctional at the national level, but they appear to be dysfunctional at the state and local levels, too. Candidates from other parties have infiltrated the Republican party, just to have a chance to win an election. I have heard that the party is split into groups with names like Reagan Republicans, the Ronald Reagan Republicans, the Tea Party Republicans, the Constitutional Republicans and the Libertarian Republicans. Now that we people of Idaho are being forced to declare a party affiliation to vote at the primary election, there will also be Democrat Republicans, Independent Republicans and Unaffiliated Republicans.

The Republican party used to have my respect. Not anymore. So, on paper only, I will declare to be affiliated with the Republican party so that I can vote against some candidates. But don’t expect me to participate in Republican party functions, or offer financial support. Maybe those of us who are affiliating as Republicans, under duress, should form our own sub-group called Fake Republicans.

ELLEN TURNBULL

Coeur d’Alene