Registration indicates huge voter turnout for election

On Nov. 4, Bonnie Harper will vote in her first U.S. election.

The Canadian native moved to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho in 1995. Since then, she's followed elections closely knowing the outcome affected the country where she lives, works and raises her children.

But it wasn't until she became an U.S. citizen on Sept. 25 that she became eligible to vote in an election herself. In fact, registering to vote was among the first things Harper did as a new citizen since there was a voter registration table at her swearing in ceremony.

"I'm excited I get to vote this year because I've only been able to watch from the sidelines in the past and I feel it's an important thing to do as a citizen," Harper said.

Harper is just one of many citizens registering to vote in this year's election.

Vivian Garcia, Elmore County's election deputy, said the number of new voters registering for this election is "double or triple" the number in previous years.

"It's the presidential candidates that's bringing them out," Garcia said.

The candidates are bringing out so many new voters that Garcia plans to work every weekend until the election to keep up with the workload.

Since the deadline for pre-registration has passed, residents who register to vote at the courthouse must cast their ballot at the same time. That can be done until 5 p.m. Nov. 3.

Proof of residence for at least 30 days and proper identification is needed to register. A current driver's license more than 30 days old will meet those requirements.

Request for an asbentee ballot by mail for the general election must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 29. The ballot must be back to the courthouse by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Garcia said the turnaround time on asbentee ballot request is typically the same or next day but because of the high volume of request and new registered voters, the turnaround time is now 10-14 days.

Garcia anticipates a high turnout of voters at polling places on election day. She said the county is advising one or two additional people be hired at each site to help with the expected turnout.

Harper will be among that turnout. She's already decided who she'll vote for on election day and thinks everyone should research the candidates before making a decision.

"I think it's important for everyone to research and find out what the facts are in order to make a truly informed decision," she said.

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 27, the Mountain Home Senior Citizen Center will hold "Meet Your Candidate Night," open to all members of the public.

Candidates for local races have been invited to attend. The public will have the chance to submit questions to the candidates in writing before the event starts and candidates will have two minutes to respond to each question.

Ruthada Powell, president of the senior center, said the event has had a good turnout in previous years and that the event is a chance for voters to possibly hear some of the facts.

"We do this so our seniors and public can get questions answered," Powell said. "They want to see who the candidates are and what they stand for and what their platform is."

The center isn't the only agency educating voters in Mountain Home. Senior government teachers at Mountain Home High School have been educating their students on the candidates, many of whom may not even be old enough to vote.

In Matthew Bundy's class, students have been following the election to supplement lessons from the textbook. Bundy said the election coincides with the textbook, which allows him to teach to Idaho standards while using current national events as examples.

He secured actual ballots from the county and students have learned about every candidate on the ballot. Assignments have been issued-base, focusing on the difference between presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

Students from all senior government classes will participate in a statewide mock election Thursday and Friday. Bundy said a primary vote showed students seemed to be leaning more toward the Democratic party but that McCain was still favored.

On Monday the Chamber of Commerce held a candidate forum at AJ's Restaurant and Lounge. Nearly sixty people, including the candidates, showed up to listen to a number of candidates speak.

State Senator Tim Corder; Representative Rich Wills; Representative Pete Nielson and challenger Rosemary Ardinger; District 1 Commissioner Arlie Shaw and challenger Janet Langfitt; write-in commissioner District 2 candidate Doug King; sheriff Rick Layher and challengers Greg Berry and Robbin Ellis; and Western Elmore County Recreation District director Mollie Marsh and challenger Leanna Whitney attended and spoke at the event.

On the back of the county ballots voters will be asked to vote yes or no for the formation of a pest (mosquito) abatement taxing district in the county. The district will collect $10 for every $100,000 of taxable assessed evaluation, or 0.0001 mil.

The Western Elmore County Recreation District is also holding an election Nov. 4. Voters will decide if incumbent Mollie Marsh or challenger Leanna Whitney will represent Subdistrict 3 on its three-member board.

The district will have a separate ballot available at a separate table at each polling place in the district. All residents of the district can vote in the election, not just those who live in the subdistrict.

Voters can request an absentee ballot by going to the WECRD office at 140 N. 3rd East in Mountain Home until 5 p.m. Nov. 3 and can request a ballot be mailed to them until 5 p.m. on Oct. 29.