Early voting opens Oct. 19 with election forum set for Oct. 20
October 14, 2026
By Reader Staff
Early voting in the 2026 general election begins on Monday, Oct. 19, with eligible resident electors able to cast their ballots in person from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, at the Bonner County Elections Office (1500 Hwy. 2, Ste. 124, in Sandpoint).
Mail-in ballots are also being taken by county elections staff, though must be returned — not postmarked — by Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., when polls close on Election Day.
For all things election-related, including sample ballots and polling locations, go to voteidaho.gov or bonnercountyid.gov/Elections-Home. Information is also available by calling 208-255-3631, emailing [email protected] or visiting the Elections Office in the County Administration building.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, voters are also invited to get to know candidates at an election forum hosted from 5:30-7:30 p.m. by the Bonner County Daily Bee, KRFY Panhandle Community Radio, SandpointOnline.com and Sandpoint Reader at the Sandpoint High School auditorium (410 S. Boyer Ave.).
Featuring candidates in contested races for Idaho Legislative District 1 and the Bonner County Board of Commissioners — as well as an informational presentation on the city of Sandpoint’s proposed 1% local option tax from Public Works Director Holly Ellis — the forum will be moderated by Chris Bessler.
Candidates in contested races have been invited, including Republican Scott Herndon and Independent Steve Johnson (Dist. 1 Senate); Democrat Karen Matthee and Republican Jane Sauter (Dist. 1A House); Independent Kathryn Larson and Republican Cornel Rasor (Dist. 1B House); and Independent Fred Arn and Republican Steve Smith (BOCC Dist. 1).
The 1% LOT is on the ballot after City Council members approved the language earlier in the year, asking residents if they’re willing to voluntarily pay an additional 1% sales tax with funds dedicated to street and sidewalk infrastructure. A similar LOT request went before voters in 2024, but failed to achieve the necessary 60% majority for adoption.
Each candidate in contested races will get two minutes to provide an opening statement. Following those opening statements, the moderator will take written questions from the audience and candidates will each receive two minutes for closing statements.
Candidates in uncontested races have also been invited to provide two- to three-minute statements during the opening period, but questions will be reserved for contested races only.
Tables will be set up in the cafeteria outside the SHS auditorium where candidates are invited to provide literature and talk with voters before and after the forum.
The forum will be broadcast live on the evening of Oct. 20 on KRFY 88.5 FM, with the recording subsequently available on KRFY.org and followed by coverage in the Bee and Reader.
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