Resolutions
A New Year's Message from Superintendent Shon Hocker
Dear District Families,
As we approach the end of the year, many of us make resolutions. I’d like to suggest a few promises all of us can make, and easily keep, in 2023. Just 9 weeks after our winter break ends, this community will be voting on a pair of pivotal school funding levies for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools. Here are 4 resolutions you can make for participating in this civic duty.
RESOLUTION #1 - Register to vote
Many of you have checked this off your list already. Still, thousands of eligible voters in our community are not able to cast ballots in local elections simply because they have not taken a few minutes to register to vote. They are letting others make important decisions about issues that affect us and our children, such as how we continue funding after-school activities, school safety priorities and popular courses such as art, music and technology. If you or someone you know isn’t registered to vote here in Kootenai County, resolve to make a difference by registering now.
Visit voteidaho.gov to check your voter record, update your voter registration, or register to vote. You need a current and valid Idaho driver’s license or DMV identification card to register online. Otherwise, you can register to vote in person or by mail. You can download the voter registration form AT THIS LINK.
Heads up! If you plan to vote in the March 14 school levy election, the deadline to register to vote is Feb. 17. In addition, Idaho is one of the few states where you can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day, then receive your ballot right there. To do this, you must have been an Idaho resident at least 30 days prior to Election Day, and show proof of residency. (Learn more in Episode 2.3, Same Day Registration, at THIS LINK)
Student voters: If you are 18 or older and attending college or training in another city or state, you may still be able to vote locally, if this is the residency of your primary home. Students can decide where they wish to be registered to vote. (Learn more in Episode 3.3, Moving Into or Out of State, at THIS LINK)
RESOLUTION #2 - Request your Absentee Ballot
You can have your ballot mailed to you weeks before Election Day, and return it by mail or in person. In early January you will be able to request an absentee ballot for the March 14 school levy election, and for any other elections in 2023. Even if you voted by absentee ballot in 2022, you will need to make a new request to vote by absentee ballot in the new year.
The good news is, it’s super easy. In January, visit https://voteidaho.gov/ to request your absentee ballot online. Or you can download and print the request form. Absentee ballot request details should be posted on the state website within the first week of January.
Heads up! March 3 is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the March 14 school levy election. Applications must be received by the county elections office by 5 p.m. that day, so don’t wait too long to make your absentee ballot request!
RESOLUTION #3 - Learn what’s on the ballot
If you are registered to vote and live in the Coeur d’Alene d'Alene School District, please take a few minutes to read about the two school levies on the March 14 ballot. These property tax questions are how we continue to fund school district operations and make needed repairs and upgrades in our schools. Please visit our levy information page HERE.
Supplemental Levy: Details and short video AVAILABLE HERE
Safety & Maintenance Levy: Details and short video AVAILABLE HERE
Or watch the videos at the end end of this message.
RESOLUTION #4 - Vote!
We understand how busy families are during the school year. There’s a lot going on in our lives. It can be easy to let Election Day slip by. But because so much is riding on our school levies, we hope you take a minute now and put a voting reminder on your calendar for March 14. You have 3 different options to cast your ballot: by mail (absentee ballot), in person early at the county elections office, and at your polling place on March 14.
Here are some key dates to remember:
Early January: Request you absentee ballot for 2023
Feb. 13: The Kootenai County Elections Office begins mailing absentee ballots to voters
Feb. 27: Early voting begins for the March 14 election. Registered voters may cast a ballot in person at the county elections office, 1808 N. 3rd Street, Coeur d'Alene
March 10: In-person absentee and early voting ends at 5 p.m.
March 14: ELECTION DAY, polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m.
Where to vote: Wondering where your polling place is? Look it up using your home address AT THIS LINK.
Happy New Year, and we wish you all the best in fulfilling your resolutions!