Local Republicans are battling behind the scenes over a proposal by Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes to reduce the number of county voting precincts from 71 to 44. The Reagan Republicans support the move. The county Republican Central Committee doesn't. Last night, the Central Committee voted unanimously on two resolutions opposing Hayes' attempt to reduce the number of precincts. However, earlier Monday, Jeff Ward, leader of the Reagan Republicans, circulated a newsletter saying he was going to boycott the Central Committee meeting and urging his followers to boycott the Central Committee meeting, too. In his newsletter, Ward said: "I will not be a party to an attack on a conservative policy because some people who claim conservatism wish to kill it to maintain their political advantage." So it's hard to say how many precinct committee members were present at the meeting. The two resolutions from the Central Committee will be sent to the Kootenai County commissioners for discussion today.

• Also: You can see the 2 county GOP Central Committee resolutions here.

Question: What do you make of this flap?