Voter turnout a 30-year low

Early estimates by the Idaho secretary of state’s office indicate that voter turnout in Idaho in Tuesday’s primary elections was the lowest in at least 30 years.

“I wouldn’t say this was very good,” said Marilyn Johnson, a clerk in the elections department.

About 25 percent of registered voters cast ballots Tuesday. The next-lowest turnouts in the last three decades in primary elections were 25.03 percent in 1988 and 26.79 percent in 2004.

Kootenai County’s voter turnout was 24.6 percent. In Ada County, the state’s most populous, 21.44 percent of those registered to vote did so, making it an early night for election workers.

About 23 percent of registered voters in Boundary County voted.

Along with other counties, Boundary County had the new Idaho electronic voting machines to help visually impaired and other disabled residents vote more independently but which could be used by anyone.

“Some people were game and tried them,” said Poston, adding they worked well.

The machines were mandated by the 2002 Help America Vote Act that followed the 2000 presidential election. The law set aside $6 million for the machines. About 930 of the devices were set up in the state’s 763 polling places.

– From staff and wire reports

Kempthorne hurt on brief visit

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, who is awaiting confirmation as the next U.S. secretary of the interior, broke his foot in a jogging accident and is now on crutches.

Kempthorne returned to Boise briefly on Tuesday, which meant that while he was in the state – from about 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – he was officially governor again. When Kempthorne is out of state, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch becomes the acting governor.

Once Kempthorne is confirmed as interior secretary, Risch will succeed him in office and will name a new lieutenant governor.

Brian Whitlock, Kempthorne’s chief of staff, said, “It was a quick turnaround. We had a couple of decision points he had to make here.” That included discussion of archiving the governor’s papers and items being considered for the state Historical Society, Whitlock said.

Kempthorne injured his foot while running on an uneven stretch of pavement over the weekend. When swelling increased, he saw a doctor and discovered he’d broken a bone. He’ll know more about his prognosis today.

Kempthorne left Boise for Washington, D.C., on Tuesday evening.

The full Senate vote on his confirmation could come as soon as today.

– Betsy Z. Russell

Kootenai County

Rickel Ranch hearing tonight

Kootenai County residents can comment tonight on the proposed Rickel Ranch development near Silverwood Theme Park.

The Kootenai County Planning Commission continued the hearing from an April meeting when the commission also heard a proposal from Heartland LLC.

Both companies are asking to amend the county’s growth plan to allow for large housing developments in very rural areas. More than 200 people attended the meeting. Opponents expect another packed house with many people wearing green ribbons to signify support for intelligent growth, said Bat Masterson of the Cedar Mountain Association, which is opposed to Rickel Ranch.

Before the commission opens the hearing on Rickel Ranch, it will decide whether to approve a zone change on 68 acres off Pleasant View Road that the county wants to use for a garbage transfer station.

Seattle-based Heartland wants to change the growth plan on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene near Powderhorn Bay, which would allow it to develop perhaps three luxury golf courses with a total of 1,350 homes.

Rickel Ranch would transform an old cattle ranch into a town, which would largely consist of homes priced at $150,000.

County Planning Director Rand Wichman said the commission can either make a decision on both proposals or wait and schedule another date for deliberations.

The County Commission will have the final say on all three proposals.

The 6 p.m. meeting is at the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call (208) 446-1070.

– Erica Curless