Voters heading to polls today

SANDPOINT - In the waning hours of the 2008 election, local party leaders are making one final push to help ensure a record turnout of Bonner County voters.

With tight races in a number of elections, workers from both the Bonner County Republican and Democratic parties are manning phones and doing whatever they can to get the party faithful out to vote.

"People are making phone calls and people will be providing rides to the polls when they can, but for the most part it's going to be about making phone calls, calling precincts and reminding everyone to vote," said Cornel Rasor, chairman of the Bonner County Republican Central Committee.

Rasor, who is also running for a seat on the Bonner County Commission, said he expects a large voter turnout, much of which he attributes to "staggering" absentee voting.

Like Rasor, chairman of the Bonner County Democrats Laura Bry is expecting this election to produce an unprecedented turnout.

"I'm talking to a lot of people that are excited, and I'm thrilled with the early voter turnout, both absentee and in person at the courthouse," Bry said.

Bry credits a historical presidential election and a group of dynamic local candidates for the groundswell of political excitement.

"I think people are really engaged in this election and are really paying attention and it does really matter to them," Bry said. "We've clearly convinced people that the first step in participating in a democracy is to vote."

The county has already broken its all-time record for absentee voting, and Bonner County Clerk Marie Scott said she expects that trend to continue on Election Day. Part of that expected turnout can be attributed to an Idaho law that allows on-site voter registration on Election Day. Even if a resident forgot to register, Scott said as long as they bring picture identification and proof of residence to their assigned polling place, they will be able to cast a ballot.

"They can use the Idaho Secretary of State's Web site (to find the correct polling location). It's just dynamite for locating where they need to go. It's the best tool available to them," Scott said.

To find your assigned polling location, visit www.idahovotes.gov.