Tuesday is Election Day in Kootenai County, but some in the area might not be prepared to exercise their right to vote. Some might not know where their polling place is. Some might not know what’s on the ballot. Some might be reluctant simply because they don’t know if they can vote, or if they think it’s too late to register.

The good news is, residents still have plenty of time to register, educate themselves and take part in the American electorate. The Press has put together a Q&A session to help navigate Tuesday’s election.

Q: What’s on the ballot?

A: It depends on where you live. You can read our election preview here, but just about every jurisdiction has either a mayoral race, a City Council race or both. Citizens in Spirit Lake, Athol, Rathdrum and Hayden have competitive council choices to make, while Coeur d’Alene voters face three open Council races. Most polling places along the northern stretch of Kootenai County can voice their choices for their next Lakeland Joint School District board members, as well. This represents the first time voters will vote on Lakeland Joint School District members in November, rather than the traditional May.

Q: What other out-of-the-ordinary issues might be on the ballot this year?

A: Bayview residents will decide whether or not to recall two directors of their Water and Sewer District board, while residents living within Water District #1’s boundaries just east of Coeur d’Alene will vote on a $2 million bond that would essentially take a loan out on its assets in order to make capital improvements. Hayden residents will decide whether or not to increase its spending capabilities by just over $400,000, bringing its base budget to $2 million.

Q: My ballot has an open electable position but no candidate to vote for? Do I just write in who I think would do the job?

A: You’re welcome to, but don’t be surprised if that person doesn’t actually win. In order to win as a write-in candidate, that person had to actually register as a write-in candidate in September. Only a few people filed as write-in candidates, leaving several possible races without candidates completely devoid of registered candidates. If a registered write-in candidate doesn’t win, each City with a position to satisfy will appoint a resident to fill the need.

Q: When and where do I vote?

A: Polls open at 8 am Tuesday and close at 8 pm that evening. If you get to the polls at 7:59 pm and are standing in line to vote at 8:01 pm, you’ll still get to vote, regardless of how long it takes you to reach the front of the line.

Kootenai County has established a website to pinpoint a citizen’s proper polling place. You can visit that site here or call (208) 446-1030.

Q: Who gets to vote?

A: Kootenai County requires citizens to meet four simple criteria: You must be a U.S. citizen, you must be at least 18 years old on Election Day, you must be both a legal resident of Idaho and Kootenai County 30 days prior to an election, and you must not have any legal disqualifications. These disqualifications, as spelled out in Idaho Code 18-310, basically say convicted felons can vote if their sentences have been completed. As long as you’ve served your time and have completed your parole and/or probation, you are automatically eligible to vote once again. You can view the specific law here.

Q: I never registered to vote in Kootenai County. How can I vote?

A: Idaho allows qualified voters to register on Election Day. Simply go to your polling place with two types of documents in hand: a government-issued photo identification card (either a driver’s license, state or federal ID, passport, tribal photo ID, school ID, or a license to carry a concealed weapon) and formal proof of residence (such as a bank statement, utility bill or rental agreement).

Kootenai County Chief Deputy Clerk Jennifer Locke urged that, while poll workers are trained prior to Election Day to collect the necessary information to register new voters, some registrations can take longer than others, depending on both the compliance of the prospective voter and the new voter’s individual history.

“The first thing we’re going to do,” Locke explained, “is make sure the voter is in the right precinct. We’ll have them fill out the voter registration form, and they we’ll go from there.”

Some situations, she added, might require a phone call or a visit to the Elections Office. Other scenarios might request follow-up information from the Secretary of State’s office.

In other words, while you can exercise your right to vote tomorrow, if you haven’t registered to vote yet, be prepared to exercise a little patience, as well.