Commission confirms, accepts election results

BONNERS FERRY — The Nov. 8 general election results for Boundary County have been canvassed and accepted by the county commissioners, election results were unchanged.

The November election saw 1,575 absentee ballots, 296 new voter registrations the day of election for a total of 5,348 ballots cast, totaling 67.4% voter turnout.

Voter turnout was up from the May primary election which saw 772 absentee ballots, 111 new voter registrations the day of election, and a total of 3,535 ballots cast, totaling 47% voter turnout.

Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston clarified that the voting machines only count if a bubble is circled. As a result, when there was a write-in ballot cast, a review board of poll workers verified the write-in written was for the qualified candidate for that race.

Poston confirmed some voters wrote in fictional names or community members not qualified to run in a particular race.

On the Nov. 8 ballot there were four write-in candidates; Tim Bertling for Boundary County commissioner, Dist. 2; Steve Johnson for District 1 senator, a gubernatorial and state officer write-in.

A total of 78 poll workers worked at the general election. Poston estimated that the election cost $12,000.