SEPTEMBER
Which Voting Option Is Right for You?
The midterm election is Tuesday, November 3.
Idaho is unique. Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Utah conduct all-mail elections, with ballots sent to voters' homes by default. But in Idaho, we have options.
Absentee Ballot
Do you prefer to take your time and research candidates and ballot measures from the comfort of your home? Or maybe you'll be out of town, can't take time off work, have transportation challenges, or don't want to risk an emergency on Election Day. An absentee ballot may be the perfect option for you.
You can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. The deadline to request one for the November 3 election is October 23 at 5:00 p.m. Be aware that absentee ballot requests are valid only for the calendar year in which they are submitted. You must submit a new request each year.
And did you know that if you change your mind and want to vote in person after receiving an absentee ballot, you can? You can surrender your absentee ballot at your polling location or simply choose not to return it. A new ballot will be issued and only one will be counted.
And lastly, to ensure your absentee ballot is received in a timely manner, the drop box at the elections office is the best place to deposit it.
Early Voting
Do you prefer to vote in person but don't want to risk an emergency, illness, or bad weather on Election Day? Early voting may be the right choice for you.
I remember one cold, frosty November Election Day. It snowed overnight—not too much, but enough to make someone think twice about driving.
To help ensure that nothing prevents you from voting, vote early at the Kootenai County Elections Office. For the 2026 general election, early voting in Kootenai County begins Monday, October 19, and continues through Friday, October 30. Voting is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early voting offers flexibility and peace of mind.
Election Day
Maybe you're a traditionalist and like to cast your ballot in person on Election Day. You enjoy showing up at the polls alongside your neighbors, hearing your name called as you cast your ballot, and proudly walking away with your “I Voted” sticker.
On Election Day, vote at your precinct’s unique polling location. There are 74 voting precincts in Kootenai County and multiple polling locations. You can find yours at the Kootenai County Elections website.
Voter Registration
Are you new to the area? Welcome! Now get yourself registered to vote. According to Idaho law, you must have been an Idaho resident for at least 30 days before Election Day to register and vote.
Have you moved recently? Make sure your voter registration is up to date. Don't be like the couple who showed up at 7:50 p.m. on Election Day. Polls close at 8:00 p.m. They had walked to the polling location with their two children. Cool, yeah. But they had moved recently and showed up at the wrong polling location. There was no time for them to travel to the correct location and vote. Major bummer.
To register to vote or update your information, head to the elections office. A friendly face is waiting to help you. You can also register online. And if you wait until the last minute, or simply forget, you can register to vote on Election Day at your designated polling location if you have the required ID and proof of residence.
Which Is Your Best Option?
I remember taking my two young children to the local high school to vote. They sat beside me as I filled in the bubbles. It was a great teaching moment. But that stopped in 2011, when Washington State adopted all-mail voting statewide. Coming from a state that stopped voting in person fifteen years ago, I am thankful that I now have options.
As a poll judge, I am busy on Election Day, so I choose early voting. I love that I am required to show my photo ID and that, by law, my name must be announced as my ballot is deposited in the ballot box.
Absentee, early voting, or in person—which option will you choose for this general election?
Kootenai County Elections: https://www.kcgov.us/31/Elections
Respectfully submitted by Jenny Holmes and the KCRCC Communications Committee.
AUGUST
Welcome
Welcome to Your KCRCC Corner. Since an acronym is much easier to say than a long string of words, KCRCC is the acronym for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. It’s kind of catchy once you remember the right number of Cs in the right places.
The purpose of this regular column will be to communicate what’s up with the KCRCC. Its goal will be to educate, inform, and encourage citizen involvement.
The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) is the official county-level organization of the Idaho Republican Party. The KCRCC membership includes precinct committee members (PCs) who are elected every two years by Republican voters in the county's precincts as well as an executive board elected by the PCs.
With 74 elected PCs representing every neighborhood throughout Kootenai County, the KCRCC is committed to advancing conservative values, defending individual liberty, and preserving the freedoms that make Idaho a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
The KCRCC meets once a month, every fourth Tuesday at the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way, CDA. We meet at 7:00pm and the public is welcome to attend as our guests.
The committee follows a set of by-laws and maintains nine standing subcommittees, covering everything from recruitment, vetting, and campaigns to legislation, fundraising, and town halls. Each PC volunteers their time toward voter outreach, distribution of literature, and serving and participating in events. The KCRCC can’t do all the work needed to promote good candidates alone, they rely on volunteers and community participation.
One frequent agenda/business item of the committee is the adoption of resolutions. A resolution is a formal written proposal submitted to the Idaho GOP. These may pertain to party policy, candidacy, or legislation. Resolutions passed by the KCRCC, and other county central committees, are forwarded to the Idaho GOP for a vote by county delegates at the state convention and are sent to the Idaho Legislature. A resolution is not a law, but a strong message of what is important to the Republicans in Idaho. Its principles hope to make their way into a bill and eventually into law. You can find previously adopted resolutions on our website.
At the June meeting, the KCRCC unanimously passed the first resolution of the 2026-2028 session. The title of the resolution is The KCRCC Stands Against “Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act” Initiative. Referencing the Declaration of Independence “…that all human beings are created equal and endowed by the Creator with the unalienable rights to life…” and the Idaho GOP Platform Section 3: Right to Life “…that human personhood begins at the moment of fertilization…” the resolution called on Republicans to promote the sanctity of unborn lives, defend against pro-abortion measures, and inform their constituents that Prop 1 should be defeated. Adoption advocacy, crisis pregnancy support, and assistance before and after birth are also included in the resolution.
To learn more about the KCRCC, explore our website.
Respectfully submitted by Jenny Holmes and the KCRCC Communications Committee.
OCTOBER
What’s on Your Ballot?
As you probably know, the general election is Tuesday, November 3. And here’s something new this year: many people, regardless of political party, received an application for an absentee ballot in the mail. All sides view this election as crucial.
There are important decisions to be made in every election, and this one is no different. You’ll have choices in partisan federal, state, and county races, as well as nonpartisan ballot questions involving school levies, constitutional amendments, and judicial retention.
Your ballot is two pages long, and both the front and back of each page must be completed. With so many items to consider, be prepared to spend more time than usual filling in the boxes.
Keep in mind that not every ballot in Kootenai County is the same. Your address decides what appears on your ballot. The legislative district, precinct, and city determine which taxing districts you belong to and, therefore, which candidates and measures you’ll be voting on.
Here’s a general rundown of what may appear on your ballot.
FEDERAL RACES: One U.S. Senator and one U.S. House of Representative.
STATE RACES: Seven positions—Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Controller, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
LEGISLATIVE RACES: One State Senator and two State House of Representatives.
COUNTY RACES: Six positions—two County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor, and County Coroner.
LOCAL NONPARTISAN RACES: Various magistrate judge positions and two North Idaho College (NIC) Board of Trustees seats.
SCHOOL LEVIES: Coeur d’Alene School District #271, Post Falls School District #273, Kootenai Joint School District #274, and Plummer-Worley School District #44.
FIRE DISTRICT LEVIES: Northern Lakes Fire Protection District and Spirit Lake Fire Protection District.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
Proposition 1—Reproductive Freedom & Privacy Act: Would change Idaho’s current law to allow abortion up to the point when a baby can survive outside the womb.
HJR 4: A proposed constitutional amendment giving the Legislature exclusive authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, and other psychoactive substances in Idaho.
HJR 6: A proposed constitutional amendment designating English as Idaho’s official state language. Government speeches, meetings, and other proceedings, as well as public school instruction, would be conducted in English.
House Bill 932: Would designate an official state gun for Idaho.
If you live in the city of Harrison, you’ll also have an opportunity to vote on a local option to increase revenue through a non-property tax—a funding approach that is gaining attention.
For more detailed descriptions of ballot measures, consult the Idaho Voter Information Pamphlet provided by the Office of the Secretary of State.
KCRCC Recommended Candidates & Ballot Issues
As usual, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) has produced a sample ballot listing its recommended candidates and ballot positions to help you make your selections.
Why Do You Vote?
We are blessed to live in a constitutional republic where citizens elect representatives who make and enforce the laws of the land. We the People are sovereign, and we elect representatives to act on our behalf.
Why Don’t You Vote?
In the 2022 midterm election, voter turnout among registered voters was approximately 54%. Let’s put that in perspective: nearly half of registered voters did not cast a ballot.
The Declaration of Independence states that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The people must not abdicate that privilege. Otherwise, those who govern may no longer feel compelled to listen to the voices of the people they represent.
How do you motivate people to vote? Facts? Statistics? Emotion? Shame? Fear? A sense of responsibility? Even Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane doesn’t have all the answers. The best we can do is provide information and make voting as convenient as possible.
The 2026 midterm elections are crucial because they will help determine which party controls Congress and the direction our country will take. Unbelievably, in parts of our nation, candidates who identify as socialists are running for office.
Final Reminders
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 23. Completed ballots must be received by the Kootenai County Elections Office by 8:00 p.m. on November 3. But don’t wait until the last minute—aim to return your ballot by November 1.
Early voting at the Kootenai County Elections Office is scheduled to begin Monday, October 19, and continue through October 30. That gives you two weeks to make your selections and cast your ballot in person during office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lastly, do you have a “No on Prop 1” sign in your yard? If so, thank you for putting yourself out there and standing for life. Now, don’t forget to make your support count and vote. Here in Kootenai County, we need to turn out in strong numbers and make our voices heard to outvote those other counties that aren’t as conservative. Every vote will matter.
Respectfully submitted by Jenny Holmes and the KCRCC Communications Committee.