In its December 17, 2011, article headlined County considers fewer precincts, the Coeur d’Alene Press reported that Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes will recommend reducing the number of county voting precincts from 71 to 44.
The Press should have reported that 12 of the 71 precincts already share election day day polling places. Precincts 13 and 15 share, as do precincts 34 and 35, 38 and 41, 46 and 47, 54 and 55, and 56 and 57.
I like the idea of consolidating voting places, NOT reducing the number of precincts. More precincts means a broader base of activism for the parties. Precincts are a critical part of how parties are governed. Reducing the number will reduce the ability for the grass roots to challenge the status quo. Bad idea Cliff, rethink it please.
Comment by justinian — December 18, 2011 @ 11:10 am
I’d agree with justinian.
Comment by Ancientemplar — December 18, 2011 @ 11:58 am
Justinian and Ancientemplar,
Those are very valid considerations. Consider emailing or calling him to let him know, or better yet, attend the Tuesday meeting and speak up.
Combining polling places does not automatically reduce the number of people needed to work them; it does reduce the number of facilities.
In the 2011 election Precincts 60 and 61 were combined as Precinct 60/61 in one location for those voting in the CdA City election. Precinct 61 has fewer than 10 electors eligible to vote in CdA City elections, but it has about 1030 electors total. To open a separate polling place with a separate election judge and two or more election clerks for fewer than 10 electors would have made little sense.
Idaho Code 34-308 allows the County Commissioners to designate a precinct with no more than 125 registered electors to be a mail ballot precinct.
Comment by Bill — December 18, 2011 @ 12:35 pm
I dunno about the party activism. Given the poor attendance rates of some precinct people, is that really an argument?
Comment by Dan — December 18, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
Poor attendance aside, the growth in precincts has driven the growth in activism in Kootenai County. Ask Kathy Sims, Bob Nonini and Tina Jacobsen.
Comment by justinian — December 18, 2011 @ 2:16 pm
Dan, its up to the voters in the respective precincts to separate the wheat from the chaff. If the precinct captains don’t want to do the job they should not take the assignment.
The more the precincts the greater the representation, theoretically.
Comment by Ancientemplar — December 18, 2011 @ 3:16 pm