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
September 23, 2026

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.
August 28, 2026