When most people think of elections, they picture the noise and spectacle of presidential years—rallies, debates, and wall-to-wall news coverage. But while those contests grab the headlines, it’s the quieter local elections that often shape our daily lives the most. On November 4th, Idahoans will once again have the chance to vote—this time for city […]
A friend once opined that to him, the meaning of life is having the right tool for the job and happiness is achieved when you do the things you love to do. Combine those two axioms and you have the recipe for success. With the approaching election, you will be deciding who you think will […]
Your property taxes fund our schools, roads, and safety services. But who decides how that money is spent? The November 4th local elections give you the power to choose leaders who shape Kootenai County’s future. These off-year elections fill critical seats in local government, including mayors, city councils, school districts, and fire districts, with the […]
North Idaho is largely populated by good and friendly people. People who volunteer their time for civic and charitable causes. People you would want for neighbors. People who inspired the joke: “I was at the local hardware store and while I was searching for what I wanted, three different people asked if I needed assistance…. […]
How much influence do you, the everyday American, have over the policies shaping our nation? If you think your voice drives change in Washington, brace yourself. A 2014 study by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, analyzing 1,779 policy issues, delivers a gut punch: when economic elites or organized groups like corporate lobbies want something different, […]
Conducting honest and fair elections is a cornerstone to our Republican form of government. However, only 69% of adults are confident their votes would be counted accurately. Nearly a third of Americans are not confident in our election systems. Why? Elections are conducted by the states where the actual process of voting is typically managed […]
Idaho is one of the most reliably Republican states in the nation, a bastion of conservative values where the GOP has dominated politics for decades. From its rural landscapes to its small-town ethos, Idaho’s political identity is rooted in principles like limited government, individual liberty, and traditional values. Here in Kootenai County the Republicans have […]
I always hear people complaining about taxes and how they keep going up, but when I told a group of our homeowners today that there was an election this Tuesday to raise their taxes, many of them did not know about it. So let me educate all of our readers about the 27 counties that […]
When most people think about elections, they think of presidential contests, gubernatorial races, or seats in Congress. These big, flashy campaigns dominate the headlines. But some of the most consequential decisions affecting our communities don’t come from Washington, or even from Boise. They come from local boards and commissions elected in so-called “off-cycle” elections. Less […]
On Tuesday it was my great honor to participate in the Electoral College as one of Idaho’s four electors. Most people have heard about the Electoral College, with the path to 270, and have heard pundits praise and bemoan its existence. But how does it all work and how does someone become an elector? The […]
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far” Theodore Roosevelt We are witnessing in real time the “Trump Effect” where the implementation of Trump policies began the night of the election. It is almost as if Trump became the president on November 6th and Biden nearly evaporated from reality. Why? There are […]
Understanding how the Electoral College impacts our elections is essential for every voter. The difference between the Electoral College and the popular vote has sparked debate for decades, particularly during elections where the two results differ. Such splits occurred in 2016, 2000, 1888, and 1876. These instances have fueled questions about fairness, representation, and the […]