Huckleberries Online

Bayviews: Koot Co studies sell out

Posted by Cindy

Dec. 22, 2011 10:31 a.m. • 7 comments

On his Bayviews blog Herb writes: For the last several years, and timed with Dan English as County Clerk. the precincts have been much more convenient. In the case of Bayview, Idaho, we had to drive nine miles to vote. Our polling place was the Athol City Hall.

It is widely known that the further you have to go to vote, the less likely Joe and Jill Six-pack are likely to participate. In some cases the Commissioners do this deliberately, since many borderline voters stay home. Full post here.

What do you think about the proposed redistricting?

Seven comments on this post so far. Add yours!

mrd on December 22 at 11:07 a.m.
I agree with Herb. Voting is fairly easy currently and close to everyone and look at the disappointing numbers we have, If voting is more difficult to access, less will make the effort to exercise their right. Maybe this is the ultimate plan - just think how much money the county can save if no one voted !
Wes on December 22 at 11:20 a.m.
How about your ballot is mailed to you at home fill it out mail it back. With each city hall open for walk in voting on election day as well.
CDA_Mom on December 22 at 12:06 p.m.
I agree with Wes, it seems to work in Spokane County and it would reduce the ability of those that get the wrong ballets.
danofthecommunity on December 22 at 12:55 p.m.
Again, my concern with the new plan is for the voters. I think in large elections like the upcoming year, we will experience severe overcrowding at many of the polling sites. This can lead to voter’s giving up and poll workers making more errors from the pure volume and intensity of the situation.

Many long time neighborhood polling sites like Harding, Sorensen School, KMC, Assembly of God Church, and at least a couple of Grange Halls are being eliminated. There will be several “mega” size polling sites that I believe will be inadequate to handle the regular parking, handicap parking, and space inside the facility to handle enough voters on election day.

And it isn’t about money since the county is being provided with over $200,000 a year in new money specifically so they can handle election consolidation without cutting back on existing services.

I really hope I am over-reacting and all works out just fine. But if it doesn’t just remember not to take it out on the election staff or poll workers. This decision has been made above their pay grade.
danofthecommunity on December 22 at 12:56 p.m.
And Herb, Bayview is safe even in the new plan.
hhuseland on December 22 at 3:46 p.m.
Thanks, Dan
hhuseland on December 22 at 4:12 p.m.
@Wes

I don’t have a problem with mailed ballots except perhaps that it would make registrating more difficult, as well as changing parties for primary puposes.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.