By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
If you’re planning to vote in next year’s primary elections, you may have to make a couple trips to the polls.
Due to legislation passed this spring, Idaho is adopting a second primary election to accommodate elections for political parties’ presidential nominations. According to Idaho Secretary of State Chief Deputy Tim Hurst, the Idaho Republican Party hopes the change will bring the state increased attention and influence during the primary election.
The change replaces Idaho’s presidential caucuses, which took place during the state elections in May. According to Sen. Chuck Winder, who supported the bill during the legislative session, that late time frame lessened Idaho’s influence on party nominations.
Of course, nothing in life is free, and Hurst said implementing the earlier primary will cost about $2 million. It will also increase the workload for Idaho county employees, who must manage an additional election.
The shift to a presidential primary system may impact more than state funds. Hurst said the date selected, March 8, is otherwise devoted to school bonds and levy elections. With increased numbers of traditionally conservative voters heading to the polls, school districts attempting to pass additional taxes may have a more difficult time.
“You’ll have more people turn out for elections, and all of them will be Republicans,” Hurst said.
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss Festivus, Skiing with Santa, Hogwire, and more! See the full list of events in the 
