Few are declaring party affiliations

SANDPOINT — Less than 20 percent of Bonner County’s 22,702 registered voters have declared their party affiliation in the run-up to Tuesday’s primary election, according to the county’s elections office.

The office reports that 4,413 people have declared a party affiliation and an overwhelming majority of them — 3,300 — have aligned themselves with the Republican party.

A total of 638 people have so far declared no party affiliation and 432 declared an affiliation with the Democratic party. Twenty-four people declared an affiliation with the Constitution party, while 19 have declared allegiance to the Libertarian party.

Under Idaho’s new closed primary system, only those who affiliate with the GOP will be issued GOP ballots. However,

Republicans can receive nonpartisan or Democratic ballots if they ask for them.

County Clerk Marie Scott said between print media, radio spots purchased by the Idaho Secretary of State and direct-mail notifications to some registered voters, she believes the public is well aware of the closed primary setup.

And many are not happy.

“They are voicing their discontent and we have suggested that if they want to see changes they need to get with their legislators because, at this point in time, they are the only ones who have the authority to make those changes,” said Scott.

Adding to the discontent, Scott said, is the fact that a voter’s party affiliation and the type of ballot they requested is a matter of public record, which means anybody can request the information if they are so inclined.

“It’s all public information,” said Scott.

Scott is hoping for a robust voter turnout, but concedes that it will likely be anything but. Scott expects a 20- to 23-percent turnout in the primary.

Although it’s a presidential election year, the presidential races will not appear on the ballot because Democrats and Republicans caucused this spring. The declaration requirement and knowledge that anybody can pry into a voter’s party affiliation are also likely turnoffs, according to Scott.

“I think it’s scaring a lot of people off,” she said.