Kootenai County Elections Summary

Kootenai County's elections went relatively smoothly last night, with 86.86 percent voter turnout and 63,034 ballots cast, total. While the country may have voted otherwise, Republicans were the big winners locally, with McCain/Palin winning 61.38% of the vote in Kootenai County, Jim Risch with 59.7% in the Senate race, and Bill Sali at 50.61% for District 1 Representative.

Statewide, it's still a close race between Minnick and Sali for Representative with Minnick at 51% of the vote statewide and Sali at 49% statewide it is likely Democrat Minnick will claim the Representative seat from Republican incumbent Sali. At the time of this article, 6 precincts have not reported and the results of the elections are still considered unofficial, and in such a close race it's possible for those results to change, so this is a race to keep your eyes on.

Back to local results, Judith Meyer won 64% of the vote and will fill the North Idaho College Trustee position A. Running unopposed, Michael Armon will fill NIC Trustee position B. Republican Todd Tondee won 56.9% of the vote for First District County Commissioner and Elmer Currie, also Republican, won 53.36% of the vote for Second District Commissioner. Kootenai County's Rocky Watson will return for another term, getting a little more than 75% of the vote. Barry McHugh ran unopposed for prosecuting attorney.

Kootenai County voters flatly rejected the Facilities Bond with 64.1% voting "No." The .5% extra sales tax to fund new county jail facilities was also rejected with 61.5% voting "No." The county had also proposed tacking on an additional $24 to vehicle registration fees, and that measure was soundly beaten as almost 76% of voters said "No" to raising vehicle registration fees.

Update 11/5/08 9:00 am
It is now official that Minnick has defeated Sali for the US Representative seat. 954 of 956 precincts reporting

For complete results from all Kootenai County races, check out the Kootenai County website.

For continuing results from all of Idaho's elections, check out the State of Idaho website

Presidential election results continue to come in as well, though it is obvious Obama will be the next President. Fox News presidential election map