BONNERS FERRY — The 2020 primary election is right around the corner but voters will be headed to their mailbox to cast their ballot and not their normal polling place after Gov. Brad Little announced March 30 that for the first time, ever, the election would be entirely by absentee ballot.

The change in voting behavior was due to issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to continue efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Residents have until the day of the election, May 19, to register to vote. Because voters may wait until Election Day to register and to vote, results of the primary election won’t be available until June.

“Last week, on Friday, 830 absentee ballots were mailed,” said Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston. “We try to do two batches a week and this week we have around another 350 ballots to send out.”

Candidates will be chosen for offices ranging from local precinct committeemen to U.S. congressional representatives.

The 2020 Boundary County primary election candidates are:

Prosecuting attorney

Republican, Andrakay J. Pluid

Sheriff

Republican, Dave Kramer (incumbent)

Democrat, Larry “Doc” L. Vandenberg

District 1 County Commissioner

Republican, Wally Cossairt

District 2 County Commissioner

Republicans, Aaron Surprenant, Philip Sweet, Tim Bertling, Will Hedrick, Tim Tucker

State Legislature, District 1

State Senate

Republican, Jim Woodward (incumbent)

Democrat, Vera Gadman

State Rep., Seat A

Republican, Heather Scott (incumbent)

Democrat, Gail Bolin

State Rep. Seat B

Republicans, Sage Dixon (incumbent) and Gary Suppiger

Democrat, Steve Howlett

U.S. Senate

Republican, Jim Risch (incumbent)

Democrats, Paulette Jordan and Jim Vandermaas

Constitution, Ray J. Writz

U.S. House, District 1

Republicans, Russ Fulcher (incumbent) and Nicholas Jones

Democrats, Staniela Nikolova and Rudy Soto

Libertarian, Joe Evans

A number of precinct committeemen positions will be on the primary election ballots as well. They are:

Republicans

Bill A. Blumenauer — Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, Tim Dillin — Copeland, Caleb Davis — Moyie Springs, Dave Wenk — Naples, Patrick Murphy — North Bonners Ferry, Linda Alt — Valley View

Democrats

Nancy E. Wycoff — Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, Mike Sheppard — Copeland, Stephen F. Howlett — Naples, Greg Johnson — North Bonners Ferry, Jessica Vickers — Valley View

Please visit idahovotes.gov/voter-early-idaho/ to request your absentee ballot online. Voters may also call the Boundary County Clerk’s office for information at 208-267-2242.