Seems County Clerk Cliff Hayes (pictured) has been a busy elected official while I was on vacation, withdrawing extension offices at local City Halls that made it easier for his constituents to vote absentee during election years. Hayes claims that he made the move because, after all these years, the polling places aren't secure enough for his liking and he wants to save money. Cindy posted a story about this on Monday here. Today, Councilman Mike Kennedy e-mailed this message to Hayes' Girl Friday, Pat Raffee: "Can you help us understand how much money was received by the County Clerk’s office for the new election changes from the state and a specific accounting of how that money is being used?  Considering that financial matters were cited by your office in reducing service to make voting more accessible for voters in cities in the county, and in the last election it appears that the cost of the satellite office in Coeur d’Alene was roughly a mere $750, it would be helpful for us to understand where the state tax windfall monies are going for the elections."

Question: Is County Clerk Cliff Hayes looking out for your best interests by eliminating absentee voting at local City Halls?