Election season is here again

OK, maybe election season has no beginning and no end. Maybe it's always election season.

But with September's arrival, the Nov. 2 local elections are just two months away. You can hear the campaign engines warming up.

City council, school board and fire district seats are up for grabs. They're volunteer positions of tremendous importance — some contend with greater local impact than president, congressional or legislative elections.

Here are some things to know:

• The Press once again welcomes letters to the editor endorsing candidates. However, endorsement letters will be accepted from subscribers only. No subscribee, no publishee. This is a special service provided at no charge to our customers. The maximum length is 250 words.

• The candidate filing deadline is this Friday, Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. The last day for candidates to withdraw is Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

• The voter registration deadline is Oct. 8, although voters can register to vote at the polls on Nov. 2. To register, go to: https://voteidaho.gov/

• To request an absentee ballot and check the status of your request, go to: https://voteidaho.gov/

If you don't have a computer, you can drop off or mail your request for an absentee ballot at the Elections Office, 1808 N. Third St. in midtown Coeur d'Alene. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Questions? Call the Elections Office at 208-446-1030.

*Sample ballots will be published in The Press, likely in the last week of September.

Candidate forums are already being organized by various organizations and interest groups. With a COVID surge now in play, some forums might shift to online. The Press is gearing up to do digital candidate forums and will cover election news throughout the next two months. The newspaper will also publish a voters guide in mid-October.

Our goal is to give you what you need to cast informed votes. The rest, as they say, is up to you.