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Voters prepare for Tuesday's primary
Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots for their choice of local, state and federal representatives during this year's primary election.
Six of the eight major races appearing on the county's partisan ballots here feature challenges from Democratic, Republican and Independent candidates.
Of those contests, four of them will narrow the field of challengers from their respective parties. These winners will then face their political rivals counterparts during the November general election.
In the upcoming race for the U.S. House of Representatives, for example, incumbent Mike Simpson will face a challenge from M.C. "Chick" Heileson for the Republican nomination for District 2. In addition, Jack W. Chappell, Nicole LeFevour and Eldon Wallace will compete to win the Democratic nomination. The winner from both parties during Tuesday's primary will face off during the November general election.
Meanwhile, recent changes to the state's legislative redistricting map will pit two, long-time state senators against one other during the May primary. Bert Brackett will face Tim Corder for the Republican nomination for District 23 with no Democrats filing to contest the Senate seat.
The May primary will mark the first time that a portion of Twin Falls County will join Elmore and Owyhee counties as part of the new District 23. The change comes as the state's redistricting committee changed the boundaries after a state supreme court challenge led to revisions on the previously approved redistricting map.
In the race for the state legislature, Republican Rich Wills will move forward to face Democratic write-in candidate Jody Bickle for District 23's Representative Position A post.
However, four people are vying for the district's Representative Position B position. Newcomer Pam Chiarella is expected to earn the Democratic nomination during next week's primary with Matthew Bundy and Steven Millington vying for the post currently filled by incumbent Republican Pete Nielsen. Chiarella will face the winner of that race during the upcoming general election.
In the local political races, the race to fill the seat being vacated by outgoing county commissioner Arlie Shaw has four people vying for the District 1 slot. Those running for this seat include R. Daniel "Dan" Collins, Franklin "Bud" Corbus, Courtney C. Ireland and Nick Nettleton.
Meanwhile, Michael J. Crawford is expected to move forward to face incumbent Albert Hofer for the county commissioner District 3 post in November.
Meanwhile, voters in selected districts here will also debate whether to approve two proposed levies.
The first calls for, in essence, extending the Mountain Home School District's current supplemental levy. The current $2.8 million annual levy is due to expire this summer with the new $2.7 million levy requesting fewer dollars from local residents over the course of two years.
In addition, voters are asked to consider a request from the Elmore Medical Center Hospital District regarding a proposed agreement between Elmore Medical Center and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. If approved, the agreement would transfer the local medical center's assets to a new nonprofit corporation, which would operate the hospital and provide health services to the community.
In addition, voters will also cast ballots on non-partisan candidates. They include state Supreme Court Justice Dan Eismann and appellate court judges David Gratton and John M. Melanson.
Meanwhile, Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher and Elmore County Prosecutor Tina Schindele will run unopposed to continue their terms of service.
In other election news, individuals continue to run for committeeman positions in precincts in Mountain Home and Glenns Ferry. The winners will represent their respective political parties in these sections of both communities.
This year's primary features recent changes to state election law. Approved in recent months by the state legislature, no one may receive a ballot during Tuesday's election unless they declare themselves affiliated with a political party or declare themselves to be unaffiliated, according to Vivian Garcia from the county elections office.
All voters are also required to show photo identification to receive a ballot. In addition, those currently not registered to vote and those needing to re-register due to a name change or change of address are also required to show photo identification and proof of 30-day residency, Garcia said.
For more information on voter registration, call the county elections office at 587-2136, extension 206. Details on voting precincts and polling locations are also available online at www.idahovotes.gov.