COEUR d'ALENE - Not all elections are created equal, the past week has shown.

Unlike the onslaught seen before the November presidential election, in-person absentee voting has been nominal so far for approaching school elections, according to the Kootenai County Clerk's Office.

"Low turnout is somewhat expected in school elections," Clerk Cliff Hayes said on Friday.

Elections will be held on March 12 for supplemental maintenance and operations levies for the Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai Joint and Post Falls school districts.

But since in-person absentee voting kicked off Feb. 25, less than 100 people have filled out ballots, according to the clerk's office. And less than 1,000 have requested mailed absentee ballots.

A discouraging sign, as the last day for in-person absentee voting is March 8. And the deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is March 6.

"I think it's just an off-time for an election in March," Hayes said. "When you have no candidates running, nobody publicizing the election as much as they do when they're running, you're going to have low turnout. It's just the way it goes."

Still, the Clerk's Office is encouraging folks to vote early, instead of waiting for election day.

That's because March 12 is also registration day for Coeur d'Alene School District's fall kindergarten classes.

"That means parking may be in short supply at some precincts," said Pat Raffee, chief deputy clerk.

Precincts affected by the registration are numbers 13, 15, 17, 39, 45, 60 and 62.

Only those who are registered in the three school district boundaries can vote in the elections.

People can vote in-person absentee at the elections office at 1808 N. Third St., open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Absentee ballot request forms and sample ballots are available at www.kcgov.us/elections/.

Hayes encouraged people to vote.

"We'd prefer to see the majority of the population decide things," he said.