Get out and vote

The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County is urging all citizens to participate in the May 15 Primary Election. Though the new rules may be confusing, it is important that everyone participate.

Primary elections are held to allow parties to choose their candidates to run in the General Election. Because of the new Idaho law creating the Closed Primary, every voter must “affiliate” with a party and tell the Poll Book Clerk which ballot they would like to vote. To vote the Republican ballot, one must affiliate with the Republican Party. However, voters who affiliate with either the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution parties, or who choose to remain Unaffiliated may choose the Democratic ballot. Or, they may choose to vote only the nonpartisan ballot for judicial contests, and local issues, if any.

Voters should also be aware that there will be no Presidential Preference Primary this year. Both the Republican and Democratic parties held County Conventions at which they chose their representatives to state conventions where delegates will be chosen to go to the national nominating conventions of their parties.

A final reminder is that a voter must now show a government issued photo ID at the polls. However, anyone who does not have a photo ID may sign an affidavit attesting to their identity, and proceed to vote. So, no one should stay away or be turned away from voting, for lack of a photo ID.

Your vote is your voice. The League of Women Voters challenges you to use it!

More information is available from the Secretary of State at http://www.idahovotes.gov/, or your County Clerk.