Shoshone election primer
Photo by CHANSE WATSON
WALLACE — Arguably one of the most contentious and important elections in this nation's history is right around the corner. On Nov. 3, Shoshone County voters will have their say in multiple key races on the federal and state levels.
In addition to the headline presidential race between Donald J. Trump and Joseph R. Biden, Shoshone voters can weigh in on two U.S. congressional races.
For one of Idaho's U.S. Senate positions, longtime GOP Sen. Jim Risch is looking to hold off Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan for a third term. Conservative candidate Ray J. Writz and Independant Natalie M. Fleming have also thrown their hats into the ring for the senate position.
Looking at Idaho's First District U.S. Representative, GOP incumbent Russ Fulcher is being challenged by Democrat Rudy Soto and Libertarian Joe Evans.
On the local-state/Shoshone County side of things, nearly all of the candidates are running unopposed.
Both District 7 State Senator Carl Crabtree (R) and District 7 State Rep. A Priscilla Giddings (R) will hold onto their positions for another term.
Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson (D), Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine (D), Commissioner Mike Fitzgerald (D) and Commissioner Jay Huber (D) will also hold onto their positions.
The only contested local race on the ballot is for four supervisor positions with the Kootenai-Shoshone Soil & Water Conservation District. Valerie Wade, the lone candidate from Shoshone County, will be squaring off with incumbents Laurin Scarcello, Linda Ely and Stan Thornton; in addition to other challengers John Minichino Jr., Birgid Niedenzu, Wes Evans and Steve Van Zevern.
Shoshone County voters will also be able to vote on a proposed Idaho Constitutional Amendment, Amendment HJR4. HJR4 would, if approved, change language in the Idaho Constitution regarding the number of legislative districts there can be.
With COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, those planning to vote in person will notice a few changes in the process.
Shoshone County Clerk Tamie Eberhard explained in a previous press release that their elections staff have been adjusting their processes to ensure everyone can safely vote and limit the exposure of the virus.
For safety reasons, the following precincts will be relocated for the Nov. 3 Election:
• Murray Precinct will be moved from the Murray Road Department Office to the County Courthouse, Recorder's Office, 700 Bank St., Ste 120, Wallace.
• Silverton Precinct will be moved from the Good Samaritan Home in Silverton and will co-locate with the Wallace Precinct at the Congregational Church, 408 Cedar St., Wallace.
Additional changes have been made at the polling places themselves as well.
Separate entrance and exit locations will be marked at each polling location. When precincts have been co-located, voters will still need to process through their designated precinct desks.
Social distancing of 6 feet between voters will be required. Due to the limited size of the polling locations, voters may be required to stand in lines outside the building until they can safely self-distance inside the polling location. There will not be additional shelters outside.
There will be less poll workers staffing the polling locations due to new electronic voting equipment that is being deployed.
Poll workers and all voters will be required to wear masks when inside the polling locations. Plexiglass screens will be placed on all registration tables to separate the poll workers and voters.
Electronic poll books will be used to speed up the registration process and further limit direct contact between poll workers and voters. Express voting machines will be in place for special needs voting, as well as electronic voting capabilities.
"I encourage all voters to consider requesting an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election," Eberhard said. "If you requested an absentee ballot for the May election, you may have also requested one at the same time for the November election."
Absentee ballot requests must be received by the County Clerk no later than Oct. 23 to ensure you receive your ballot in time to vote.
If you are unsure, you can look up your voter registration status on the www.idahovotes.gov website. If you do not have access to the website and are not sure, contact the County Clerk’s office at 208-752-1264.