Clerk's office closing briefly

The Bonner County Clerk’s Office will be closed for a period of time on Friday for a staff appreciation luncheon.

The office will close at 11:45 a.m. and reopen at 1:30 p.m.

The clerk’s office, located on the first floor of the Bonner County Courthouse, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information about the clerk’s office and voting in Bonner County can be found on the Web (www.co.bonner.id.us.).

Absentee ballots available

SANDPOINT — Absentee ballots for the May 27 primary election are available at the Bonner County Clerk’s Office.

The clerk’s office is also highlighting its ability to serve the needs of wheelchair-bound voters and those with sight or hearing difficulties. A ballot-marking device will be available for absentee voters.

The marking devices, which Clerk Marie Scott obtained through the federal Help America Vote Act, will also be stationed at each of the county’s voting precincts. The devices were provided free of charge.

“While they are machines, it should be noted that they do not store votes. They are pencils that assist folks in marking their ballots on their own and without outside assistance,” Scott said.

The devices have touch screens with both audio and Braille capabilities. They can also magnify ballots and display them in a reverse high-density resolution for those with macular degeneration.

Idaho does not currently require anyone to declare their party affiliation when registering to vote.

Primary voters will be given a ballot with all candidates for both parties, as well as nonpartisan candidates. This year, Democrat candidates will appear on the front and Republican candidates will appear on the back. Nonpartisan candidates appear on both sides.

Within the privacy of voting booths, voters choose which side of the ballot to fill out. Idaho voters cannot fill out both sides since doing so will negate their ballot.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 21. Once that deadline lapses, those wishing to vote absentee will have request a ballot in person and fill it out before leaving the clerk’s office (such absentee ballots cannot be taken home).

The last day to register for the primary is Friday, May 2. Voter registration cards, in addition to applications for absentee ballots, can be found on the clerk’s page of the county Web site.