County candidates for May 21 election announced, voter registration

The slate of Boundary County candidates for the May 21 primary election is set with the passing of the file deadline.

The Boundary County Sheriff race has three Republican candidates: Dave Shuman, Travis Stolley and Jon VanGesen. The winner will run unopposed in the general election, unless a write-in campaign is formed. 

For Boundary County Commissioner, seats in districts 1 and 3 are up for election, with incumbent Ben Robertson running unopposed for a four-year term in District 3 and Lester Pinkerton running for two-year term in District 1. Both are running as Republican candidates.

Boundary County Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid is seeking re-election. She is unopposed and running on the Republican ticket.

Central committee precinct members for the Republican and Democratic parties of Boundary County are also up for election. The central committees promote their respective party within the county.

Boundary County Republican Central Committee candidates are as follows:

Naples, incumbent Dave Wenk; Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, incumbent Gregory Lamberty and David Walter; Valley View, incumbent Susan Larson; North Bonners Ferry, Mike Klaus; Moyie Springs, incumbent Caleb David; and Copeland, incumbent Mark Moseley and state committeeman Erik Olson.

Boundary County Democrat Central Committee candidates are as follows: Bonners Ferry/Kootenai, Nancy Wycoff; and Naples, Stephen Howlett. 

The May 21 primary decides a political party's nominee for the November general election. However, in the event a race only has candidates from one political party, the nominee will run unopposed in the November election, unless there is a write-in campaign. 

The Republican primary in Idaho is a closed primary and only open to registered Republicans. 

To vote in Idaho you must be 18 years or older, a United States citizen, resident of Idaho for at least 30 days before the election. Individuals with a felony conviction may not register until the terms of their sentence have been completed.

Residents will need to update their registration when they move, change their name or have not voted in the past four years. Voter registration can be updated online, by mail or in person at the county clerk’s office. 

To affiliate or change your political party affiliation, you must submit a signed affiliation form with the county clerk by Friday, May 10.

Voters who have not affiliated with a political party can affiliate with a party before or on May 21, Election Day, by checking in with a poll worker or submitting a party affiliation form to the county clerk.

The Bonners Ferry Herald will release a voter guide in April.