Historic mail-in primary includes local, state races
BONNERS FERRY — The 2020 primary election is right around the corner but voters will be headed to their mailbox to cast their ballot and not their normal polling place after Gov. Brad Little announced March 30 that for the first time, ever, the election would be entirely by absentee ballot.
The change in voting behavior was due to issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to continue efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
Residents have until the day of the election, May 19, to register to vote. Because voters may wait until Election Day to register and to vote, results of the primary election won’t be available until June.
“Last week, on Friday, 830 absentee ballots were mailed,” said Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston. “We try to do two batches a week and this week we have around another 350 ballots to send out.”
Candidates will be chosen for offices ranging from local precinct committeemen to U.S. congressional representatives.
The 2020 Boundary County primary election candidates are:
Prosecuting attorney
Republican, Andrakay J. Pluid
Sheriff
Republican, Dave Kramer (incumbent)
Democrat, Larry “Doc” L. Vandenberg
District 1 County Commissioner
Republican, Wally Cossairt
District 2 County Commissioner
Republicans, Aaron Surprenant, Philip Sweet, Tim Bertling, Will Hedrick, Tim Tucker
State Legislature, District 1
State Senate
Republican, Jim Woodward (incumbent)
Democrat, Vera Gadman
State Rep., Seat A
Republican, Heather Scott (incumbent)
Democrat, Gail Bolin
State Rep. Seat B
Republicans, Sage Dixon (incumbent) and Gary Suppiger
Democrat, Steve Howlett
U.S. Senate
Republican, Jim Risch (incumbent)
Democrats, Paulette Jordan and Jim Vandermaas
Constitution, Ray J. Writz
U.S. House, District 1
Republicans, Russ Fulcher (incumbent) and Nicholas Jones
Democrats, Staniela Nikolova and Rudy Soto
Libertarian, Joe Evans
A number of precinct committeemen positions will be on the primary election ballots as well. They are:
Republicans
Bill A. Blumenauer — Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, Tim Dillin — Copeland, Caleb Davis — Moyie Springs, Dave Wenk — Naples, Patrick Murphy — North Bonners Ferry, Linda Alt — Valley View
Democrats
Nancy E. Wycoff — Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, Mike Sheppard — Copeland, Stephen F. Howlett — Naples, Greg Johnson — North Bonners Ferry, Jessica Vickers — Valley View
Please visit idahovotes.gov/voter-early-idaho/ to request your absentee ballot online. Voters may also call the Boundary County Clerk’s office for information at 208-267-2242.