The following is a press release from County Clerk Jim Brannon:

Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon reports that numerous local citizens are upset over actions taken by a Washington, D.C. group.  “A group calling themselves the Voter Participation Center has mailed pre-completed voter registration forms to relatives of long-deceased former County residents or to relatives of people who have never been Idaho residents,” said Brannon.  “Citizens are concerned that they or their loved ones are part of a scam geared toward voter fraud”, Brannon noted.

“Voter confusion and the negative public perception of this Voter Participation Project is creating extra work at an already busy time” for elections staff, said Elections Manager Carrie Phillips.  She has contacted the Idaho Secretary of State, and learned that while other counties have also complained about voter confusion, there is nothing to prevent this.

“This group promised to follow up in eight weeks to again prompt voters to register, so we phoned and asked them not to do another mailing.  They agreed to our request, and we appreciate that”, Brannon noted. 

Residents with questions on any elections mailing or other matter are encouraged to call 446-1030 for the actual facts.   

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