Early voting underway in Bonner County

SANDPOINT — Early voting is available at the Bonner County Administration Building, according to Clerk Michael Rosedale.

Early voting runs from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Friday, Oct. 30. The administration building is at the corner of U.S. Highway 2 and Division Avenue.

"If you requested your absentee ballot and have not yet returned it, you can bring that in as well and either drop it off in the absentee ballot box or have one of our poll workers spoil it and issue you a new one to vote right then," Rosedale said.

Rosedale said 8,000 absentee ballots have been returned to the county so far. A total of 12,500 absentee ballots were distributed for the Nov. 3 general election.

By issuing a new one the old one will be electronically voided in the county's system.

Voters can also bring absentee ballots to their polling location on Election Day and depositing it in a ballot box. Rosedale is reminding voters to make sure it is in the white affidavit envelope and signed. Voters can also have a poll worker spoil the absentee ballot and be issued a new one.

"I encourage everyone to vote, and if possible please vote early here at our county office, even if you’ve been issued an absentee ballot but haven’t returned it yet," said Rosedale.

Rosedale is also reminding voters that political hats, shirts, jackets and other paraphernalia such as flags and car signs can be deemed electioneering and cannot be within 100 feet of a polling location.

"This is a federal crime. Please show civility and for that short part of your day leave your endorsement gear at home or in the car," said Rosedale.

Rosedale also notes that voters are neighbors, family, friends, coworkers, teammates and much more.

"Let’s show the world how amazing North Idaho is, especially Bonner County and be super civil to each other," he said.