Early voting underway in recall

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PRIEST RIVER — Ballots for an upcoming recall election of two West Bonner County School District trustees are already beginning to come in.

These ballots will determine whether or not Zone 4 trustee Keith Rutledge and Zone 2 trustee Susan Brown are recalled in the Aug. 29 election. Rutledge currently serves as the chair of the board, with Brown as the vice chair.

Recall efforts began when a petition was set in motion by parents and community members who contend trustees have “failed to uphold their oath.”

Recall organizers also contend that the pair have “shown that (they do) not have the first and greatest concerns for the educational welfare of West Bonner County School District students attending public schools.”

The petition against Rutledge garnered 337 valid signatures — 94 more than the minimum needed to instigate a recall. The petition to recall Brown collected a total of 243 signatures — 66 more than necessary.

As of Aug. 23, 52 early voters and 219 valid absentee voters had already cast their ballots, Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale said.

He also said 361 individuals of the 3,411 residents who are eligible to vote requested absentee ballots. Only residents in the two zones are eligible to vote, with 1,485 eligible in Brown’s zone and 1,926 eligible in Rutlege’s zone.

The cut-off for early voter registration was Aug. 4, and requests for absentee ballots were only being taken up to Aug. 18. However, eligible residents can still register on election day prior to voting, Rosedale said.

To register at the polls, residents must present a valid driver's license or official identification card, passport, military ID card, concealed carry permit, and tribal ID cards. Student ID cards will no longer be accepted.

Polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned at that time to be counted.