Election results slowed by write-ins

SANDPOINT — A huge number of write-ins in the Idaho State, District 1 seat, slowed counting of ballots in Bonner County.

While polls closed at 8 p.m., it took until roughly midnight for the first round of ballots to be counted.

While a large number of write-in ballots were cast, Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale said the election was going "super smoothly."

However with the large amount of write-in ballots, Rosedale said he didn't expect the final results until 8 a.m. or late on Wednesday.

In initial ballots counted, limited to absentee and early voting, independent write-in candidate Steve Johnson had 2,779 votes and Republican candidate Scott Herndon received 1,722 votes.

In the race for Bonner County commissioner, District 2, Asia Williams received 2,951 votes in preliminary results released. Williams, a Republican, was unopposed in the general election.

In the race for Bonner County commissioner, District 3, Republican Luke Omodt received 3,607 votes in preliminary results released. He was unopposed.

Incumbent Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale, who ran unopposed, received 3,259 votes in preliminary results released.

Running unopposed for Bonner County Treasurer was Clorrisa Koster, who received 3,246 votes in preliminary results released.

In the Bonner County Assessor's race, Grant Dorman received 3,102 votes to win the election. Dorman, a Republican, was unopposed.

Running unopposed for Bonner County Coroner was incumbent Robert Beers, who received 3,329 votes in preliminary results released.

In the First Judicial District Court races, in Bonner County, in the vote to retain Lori Meulenberg, there were 3,824 yes votes and 592 no votes.

In the District 1’s state House representative position A, made open when Heather Scott was moved to the new District 2, Mark Sauter received 3,153 votes in preliminary results released. Sauter was unopposed in the race. There were no Democratic candidates for the seat

For District 1’s state House representative position B, incumbent Sage G. Dixon received 2,727 votes in preliminary results released. There were no Democratic candidates for the seat.

In Sandpoint's local option tax for tourist lodging, city voters were asked to increase the tax from 7% to 14%, with the existing 7% tax continuing to pay for public safety, parks and other infrastructure projects and the additional 7% going to street and sidewalk projects. There were 801 yes votes and 288 no votes. The measure needs 60 percent approval to pass.

In Bonner County, in the governor's race, Republican Brad Little received 3,142 votes, or 59.88%; Libertarian Paul Sand received 34 votes, or 0.65%; independent Ammon Bundy received 493 votes, or 9.40%; Constitution party candidate Chantyrose Davison received 32 votes, or 0.61%; and Democrat Stephen Heidt received 1,546 votes, or 29.46%.

In the race for lieutenant governor in Bonner County, Republican Scott Bedke received 2,524 votes, or 48.96%; Constitution Party candidate Pro-Life (formerly known as Marvin Richardson) received 143 votes, or 2.77%; and Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler received 2,488 votes, or 48.26%.

In the race for Secretary of State, Phil McCrane received 2,638 votes, or 51.42% in the county; and Democrat Shawn Keenan received 2,486 votes, or 48.46%.

In the race for State Controller, in Bonner County, Republican Brandon D. Wolf received 2,747 votes, or 53.15%; Democrat Dianna David received 2,325 votes, or 44.99%; and Miste Gardner, Constitution Party candidate, received 96 votes, or 1.86%.

In the race for State Treasurer, in Bonner County, Republican Julie Ellsworth received 2,667 votes, or 51.69%; and Democrat Deborah Silver received 2,493 votes, or 48.31%.

In the race for Idaho Attorney General, in Bonner County, Raul Labrador received 2,457 votes, or 46.86%; and Democrat Tom Arkoosh received 2,786 votes, or 53.14%.

In the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, in Bonner County, Republican Debbie Critchfield received 2,531 votes, or 49.66%; and Democrat Terry L. Gilbert received 2,566 votes, or 49.66%.

In the vote to amend the Idaho Constitution to allow the Idaho Legislature to call itself back into session, there were 2,324 yes votes and 2,694 no votes.

In an advisory vote asking voters if they approved of the state using its record surplus to issue refunds, cut income taxes and increase education funding. There were 3,712 yes votes and 1,295 no votes.