When the coronavirus forced Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney to declare the May 19 election will be all-absentee, a gap in communication led to some ballots escaping to mailboxes without a small but critical necessity: return postage.

“When I was asked that question...a couple of weeks ago,” Denney recalled in a Thursday afternoon press conference, “I had said, ‘Yes, we would pay that postage,’ not realizing that some of our counties have already prepared to mail out some of their absentees, and they did not attach the postage.”

All ballots requested since the April 1 decision to go 100 percent absentee in the primary election will come with return postage, but those ballots already prepared and mailed-off ballots might not. The dilemma required brainstorming and coordination to come up with a first class remedy.

“I think we have come up with a unique solution to that, as well as helping to create more awareness of the election,” Denney said.

If you’ve requested an absentee ballot — which Denney reminded you must do if you wish to vote in the May 19 primary election — and the return envelope does not come with return postage, two grocers have stepped forward to make sure your vote counts. Locals who receive postage-less envelopes can fill out their ballots, seal them in the return envelope and take them to customer service representatives at the Albertsons on Ironwood Drive in Coeur d’Alene or Prairie Drive in Prairie Avenue in Hayden, as well as either Coeur d’Alene Safeway on Fourth Street or Neider Avenue, and the grocers will provide a stamp and ensure your vote counts.

Safeway and Albertsons joined 43 independent Idaho grocers — though none in North Idaho — to help with the initiative.

“COVID-19 has certainly changed how business and life is conducted in Idaho and around the country,” said Albertsons spokesperson Kathy Holland of Albertson’s, “but we as grocers are proud to be able to continue to support our community during this very critical time.”

About 120,000 absentee ballots have been requested statewide for the upcoming primary election. Voters can request a ballot up to and including May 19. Citizens can request an absentee ballot at the Kootenai County Elections Office on Third Street or by going online to idahovotes.gov.