I had no idea elections were even going on! There was zero notice/advertising/PSA...nothing. The counties need to make an effort to get the word out (maybe a simple mailer).
Speaking of getting the word out:
Next Wednesday (28 May) at 7pm you can meet Senator Kohl and Representative Leavitt in person at Homestead Tactical, 758 Falls Ave, Twin Falls. Its open forum format and a presentation about the Idaho Judicial system. Seating is very limited, reservations strongly encouraged. This is a public event, no charge.
I recommend that you sign up for absentee ballots. You’ll never be caught off guard again. Once I receive mine, I know 1) that there is an upcoming election and 2) who and what will be on my ballot. Then I drive to my local polling center and vote early by surrendering my ballot and voting in person.
Love the idea of voting once for everything every two years. I believe that it would help reduce voter fatigue and also make for more engagement during the campaign season. Think of it - city council race and a vote to increase city sales tax at the same time. Could make for some very interesting debates and really show the electorate where politicians stand. This would also help keep them accountable IMO.
And another question, how do liberals have enough awareness of these off elections that they can overwhelmingly win them, while the vast majority of conservatives don’t even know they’re happening.
If elections were held in November every year, then people would be able to anticipate when elections will be held. There should also be a non-partisan voter pamphlet mailed out before every election telling voters what will be on the ballot and giving information about the candidates and the issues. If only every two years, should still only be in November. I received zero information about this election.
At an individual level it would help a lot if there were Party affiliations for all positions.
I can read about library positions and get a good sense of who I am voting for. Sewer positions not so much, and I pay way more attention to local politics than anyone I know.
From a Conservative/limited government preferer standpoint we have to find a way to engage and organize more people. Low turnout elections could be easy money for us.
The problem with relying on party affiliations is that people sneakily switch parties to capture seats. It’s dishonest, but that’s what happens. Also, not all Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians share the beliefs of their party.
So you cannot simply judge a person by his/her affiliation. You must get to know that person. Ask the person questions. Not easy. Time consuming. But that’s what it takes to get the best person for the job.
Yes, let’s just vote in November every 2 years (except for primaries for elected offices).
No more off-year elections! They’re expensive to put on and end up costing taxpayers a fortune thanks to sneaky tax levies and board elections that elect spendy unknowns who start in lower-level positions and move up the ranks until pretty soon you don’t even recognize your city, county, or state.
All elections must have voter guides with sample ballots. It’s absolutely shameful to have such low turnout for elections that affect everyone’s pocket book. Also, would like to see legislators have term limits but longer terms (e.g., 4 vs 2 years) so they aren’t in constant campaign (i.e. fibbing) mode.
We’re losing Idaho to the left, which seems better funded and far more engaged than your typical conservative. If Idahoans want Idaho to stay red, they must educate themselves and VOTE.
P.S. We tried very hard to publicize this election on our own substack notes and voting guide. But we don’t have enough readers to make a dent in the apathy. Very frustrating!
This is a waste of the resources of the county and the volunteers. All off year elections should be scratched. We have tried for years to fix this problem and nothing seems to work. I too work as a Chief Judge and our volunteers put in a 14 hour day for minimal pay and citizens won't get off their duff to exercise one of their primary constitutional responsibilities.
I am sure that there is plenty of apathy to blame, but I think that a lot of the lack of turnout is simply a lack of awareness there is even an election.
We should have one election in the off year with no primaries. I barely knew this was happening and only because I follow politics a bit. The schools tell parents that services to their students will be cancelled if they don’t get the bonds and they email and call and get their parents out to vote. The rest of us are not notified. I believe most people do not know it’s happening and if they do oftentimes don’t know who the good candidates are for smaller offices.
It would be interesting to see what turn out % would be if eligible voters were brought back to the 1800s requirements.
Yes, we should get rid of off year elections and move to once every two years to increase voter participation.
I agree.
Perspective from larger states like AZ and TX is a big fat “no” on voting centers, which crash precincts into one giant zoo to vote in.
They enable fraud, eliminate ballot secrecy, and make it easier to manipulate vote tallies.
I had no idea elections were even going on! There was zero notice/advertising/PSA...nothing. The counties need to make an effort to get the word out (maybe a simple mailer).
Speaking of getting the word out:
Next Wednesday (28 May) at 7pm you can meet Senator Kohl and Representative Leavitt in person at Homestead Tactical, 758 Falls Ave, Twin Falls. Its open forum format and a presentation about the Idaho Judicial system. Seating is very limited, reservations strongly encouraged. This is a public event, no charge.
These are representatives worth meeting!
I recommend that you sign up for absentee ballots. You’ll never be caught off guard again. Once I receive mine, I know 1) that there is an upcoming election and 2) who and what will be on my ballot. Then I drive to my local polling center and vote early by surrendering my ballot and voting in person.
Love the idea of voting once for everything every two years. I believe that it would help reduce voter fatigue and also make for more engagement during the campaign season. Think of it - city council race and a vote to increase city sales tax at the same time. Could make for some very interesting debates and really show the electorate where politicians stand. This would also help keep them accountable IMO.
The school districts sure know how to get out the vote; hence their success at raising our property taxes.
Yes. Consolidate the elections. 10% should not be the only ones making these decisions.
Also, of all my friends and family, literally ALL, not a single one knew there was an election on Tuesday before I told them.
Sign up for absentee ballots. You’ll never be caught off guard again. You can then surrender your ballot and vote in person.
And another question, how do liberals have enough awareness of these off elections that they can overwhelmingly win them, while the vast majority of conservatives don’t even know they’re happening.
It is as Brian stated, they sneak levies in when they know informed voter participation will be lacking.
Because the schools get the parents out to vote through fear of lost programs for bonds.
If elections were held in November every year, then people would be able to anticipate when elections will be held. There should also be a non-partisan voter pamphlet mailed out before every election telling voters what will be on the ballot and giving information about the candidates and the issues. If only every two years, should still only be in November. I received zero information about this election.
At an individual level it would help a lot if there were Party affiliations for all positions.
I can read about library positions and get a good sense of who I am voting for. Sewer positions not so much, and I pay way more attention to local politics than anyone I know.
From a Conservative/limited government preferer standpoint we have to find a way to engage and organize more people. Low turnout elections could be easy money for us.
The problem with relying on party affiliations is that people sneakily switch parties to capture seats. It’s dishonest, but that’s what happens. Also, not all Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians share the beliefs of their party.
So you cannot simply judge a person by his/her affiliation. You must get to know that person. Ask the person questions. Not easy. Time consuming. But that’s what it takes to get the best person for the job.
Yes, let’s just vote in November every 2 years (except for primaries for elected offices).
No more off-year elections! They’re expensive to put on and end up costing taxpayers a fortune thanks to sneaky tax levies and board elections that elect spendy unknowns who start in lower-level positions and move up the ranks until pretty soon you don’t even recognize your city, county, or state.
All elections must have voter guides with sample ballots. It’s absolutely shameful to have such low turnout for elections that affect everyone’s pocket book. Also, would like to see legislators have term limits but longer terms (e.g., 4 vs 2 years) so they aren’t in constant campaign (i.e. fibbing) mode.
We’re losing Idaho to the left, which seems better funded and far more engaged than your typical conservative. If Idahoans want Idaho to stay red, they must educate themselves and VOTE.
P.S. We tried very hard to publicize this election on our own substack notes and voting guide. But we don’t have enough readers to make a dent in the apathy. Very frustrating!
I agree with Big E!
🙏
Absolutely get rid of off year elections. At the very least make election notification mailers mandatory.
This is a waste of the resources of the county and the volunteers. All off year elections should be scratched. We have tried for years to fix this problem and nothing seems to work. I too work as a Chief Judge and our volunteers put in a 14 hour day for minimal pay and citizens won't get off their duff to exercise one of their primary constitutional responsibilities.
I am sure that there is plenty of apathy to blame, but I think that a lot of the lack of turnout is simply a lack of awareness there is even an election.
We should have one election in the off year with no primaries. I barely knew this was happening and only because I follow politics a bit. The schools tell parents that services to their students will be cancelled if they don’t get the bonds and they email and call and get their parents out to vote. The rest of us are not notified. I believe most people do not know it’s happening and if they do oftentimes don’t know who the good candidates are for smaller offices.
Totally makes sense! It is a proven fact that the current schedule is a failure.
Consolidating ballots is probably the least-worst option.
Tiny (fractional-'factional?) turnouts are suspect at best,
and are probably statistically meaningless anyway.
J.C. Passmore Jr. 05/22/25