The Presidential Primary election in Idaho is coming right up March 10th.
Some things you may not know:
College students originally from Idaho can still vote in Idaho elections, even if they have been living in another state.1
Voters can register to vote at the polls at the day of the election!
A voter needs to be 18 years old and have proof of having lived in Idaho for only 30 days prior to the election.
Only registered Republicans can vote on a Republican Presidential Primary ballot.
Democrats have opened their primary ballot so that Unaffiliated voters can vote on a Democratic ballot.
A person can change their party affiliation “For a primary election, an elector may change their political party affiliation or become “unaffiliated” by filing a signed form with the county clerk no later than the last day a candidate may file for partisan political office prior to such primary election, as provided for in Idaho Code § 34-704”2, this year by March 13, so for the Presidential Primary, it looks like this can be done at the polls.
If you are not registered and want to vote early or absentee ballot, voters can register to vote until Feb 14th at the Blaine County Courthouse in person or online at https://idahovotes.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration. “You must have photo ID and proof of residence. If your current address is shown on your driver’s license, that is all you need. If your current address is not shown on your driver’s license, you must bring proof of residency at least 30 days old (power bill, car registration, insurance, pay check, bank statement, etc.). You can check your voter registration status online at Idaho Votes.”
Check here if you don’t know where your place to vote is: https://idahovotes.gov/YourPollingPlace/WhereDoIVote.aspx
What about campaign contributions to a candidate? An individual in Idaho can only give up to $2800 per candidate in each of the primary and general elections, but corporations have an unlimited dollar amount that they can give through Political Action Committees and affiliated issue campaigns due to the Citizens United case ruling.4 According to the site, Followthemoney.org, Idaho Power Company has given $1,532,696 over the years through their PAC’s to candidates in Idaho and Oregon. As well, Idaho Power Companies PAC has given campaign donations to entities, for example, $16,235 to the Idaho Republican Party.
IdaCorp, Inc. PAC recently gave $10,000 to Senator Jim Risch for his 2020 re-election campaign.5 There are other candidates in that US Senate race, including Paulette Jordan, who just announced her candidacy. I don’t think my utility should be supporting one party or candidate over another, do you?
1 (Idaho Code § 34-405) provide that no person is deemed to have gained or lost a residence for voting purposes by reason of his presence or absence while a student at any institution of learning
2 https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/primary_elections_in_idaho.html
3 https://www.co.blaine.id.us/196/Elections
4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_donations#cite_note-4
5As reported by follow themoney.org, I am checking with Idaho Power on the accuracy of this reporting