A plethora of initiatives, a handful of recent school elections and continued population growth is sparking record-setting voter registration in Kootenai County.

“It’s the highest I’ve ever seen,” said Deedie Beard, the county’s elections chief.

Today is the last day voters can pre-register for May’s primary, and more than 51,000 people already have signed up to vote. The previous record was set in November 1994, when registration hit 47,601.

Beard said petition drives for an unusually large number of issues - the One Percent Initiative, an anti-hydroplane initiative in Coeur d’Alene, a proposed bear-baiting ban and others - have helped boost early registration numbers. To get an initiative on the ballot, signatures must come from registered voters.

Recent bond issues for Post Falls and Lakeland school districts also drove residents in to register, as has a Coeur d’Alene school levy scheduled for May 21, she said.

As a result, election workers don’t expect a big rush today.

Those still needing to register can do so until 8 p.m. at the elections office at 500 Government Way, Suite 400, across from the county courthouse. Mail-in registration forms can be picked up at the state Department of Motor Vehicle offices and most other state offices.

Mail-in registration must be postmarked by Saturday.

While there will be same-day registration at the polls May 28, residents will be required to bring identification proving they’ve lived in the county 30 days.

, DataTimes