Officials worry about poll turnout

Local election officials are concerned that not many people will show up at the polls today even though there is a mayor’s race in Coeur d’Alene along with a hotly-contested open council seat and a $50 million proposal to expand the Kootenai County jail.

“It’s been slower than I had anticipated,” said Kootenai County Elections Supervisor Deedie Beard, basing her comments on the number of absentee voters. “I really thought we’d have a pretty good turnout.”

Voters in cities across Idaho and Washington go to the polls today. There also are various county elections.

Beard anticipates a 30 percent voter turnout in Kootenai County. But that might be optimistic considering the 2003 city elections in Kootenai County hit only 26 percent, and like today, there was a county measure on the ballot.

The true determinate for voter turnout, Beard said, will be Mother Nature.

“It all depends on the weather,” she said.

As of Monday morning, 2,474 voters had requested absentee ballots. Of those, 2,134 had been returned.

Voters can register at the polls as long as they have picture identification, proof of a current address and proof, such as a utility bill, that they have lived in the city or county for at least 30 days before the election.

People who have already requested absentee ballots must return them to the county elections office, at 315 W. Garden Ave. in Coeur d’Alene, by 8 p.m. Voters cannot mail absentee ballots on Election Day or turn them in at their designated polling place.

Polls in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum and Kootenai County are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call the county elections office at 446-1030.

In some smaller towns, such as Athol, Huetter and Worley, polls are open from noon to 8 p.m.

Polling times can vary in other cities as well. Check with your local city hall for voting times or polling locations.