Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon noted that there will be very few names on the ballot for leadership roles in eight cities on November 3.  “Fernan, Hauser, Hayden Lake, Huetter, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Stateline and Worley had only one candidate file for each open seat by the 5PM deadline today,” Brannon said. By law, cities have to hold an election even if there is only one name on the ballot for each open seat.  Write-in candidates for city council or mayor offices have until October 6 to file their declarations.  However, absentee ballots are required to start being mailed on October 2.  “Write-in candidates should not wait until the last minute,” Brannon noted. Some fire districts have contested races.  Fire districts are allowed to appoint an unchallenged candidate to the vacancy, avoiding the need for an election.  Write-in candidates for fire district offices have until September 18 to file their declarations.  Potential write-in candidates should contact their local city hall, fire district office, or the County’s elections office at 446-1030/Kootenai County Clerk's Office.

A list of all the candidates in city and fire district elections here.