Absentee voting is underway

SANDPOINT — The U.S. presidential primary is right around the corner.

On Tuesday, March 10, the Constitution, Democratic and Republican parties will hold a primary to determine which candidate will represent them in the November general election.

The Constitution Party has six candidates in the running while the Democratic and Republican parties have 17 candidates and six candidates, respectively.

It’s the second time the state of Idaho is running two separate primaries back to back. The second primary, set for May 19, will held for all non-presidential candidates.

The party affiliation rules for ballot choice are a little different for this election, according to Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale.

The Democratic Party will allow those affiliated as Democratic and unaffiliated to vote on their ballots. The Republican Party will allow only those affiliated as Republican to vote on their ballot. The Constitution Party will allow those affiliated as Constitution and unaffiliated to vote on their ballots.

The deadline for changing your affiliation is March 13.

Sample ballots can be found on online at bonnercountyid.gov under the Departments/Elections page.

In-person absentee voting is in progress, and will run through Friday, March 6, in the county’s Elections Office, located in the Bonner County Administration Building, 1500 U.S. Highway 2, Suite 124 (located on the first floor).

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Elections Office will be publicly testing its ballot counting equipment on Tuesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. in the administration building’s first-floor conference room.

Election-day voting will take place at the usual polling locations.

“As always, Idaho allows Election Day registration. If you are not registered to vote, you may register and vote at your polling place on Election Day,” Rosedale said.

Rosedale said to make sure to bring photo identification and proof of residency to register.

Voters with any questions may call the Elections Office at 208-255-3631 or contact the office via email at elections@bonnercountyid.gov.

“Remember to vote and make your voice heard!” Rosedale said.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10.