86.8% of Kootenai County voters turned out in November 2024. In May 2025, 21.9% did. May is where the decisions are made.
The Republican primary winner goes on the November ballot, and the Republican candidate wins in November. Every two years, May also elects precinct committeemen, the 74 members of the KCRCC who control every endorsement and elect the chairman.
The May 2026 primary is on May 19, 2026.
Idaho's Republican primary is closed: only registered Republicans can vote in it. Check that you're registered and that your party affiliation is Republican.
If you're unaffiliated, you can affiliate as Republican right at your polling place on Election Day. No advance action needed.
If you're registered under a different party, the deadline to switch was March 13, 2026. You will not be able to vote in the Republican primary this cycle, but you can plan ahead for 2028.
Your precinct determines which candidates appear on your ballot, including which precinct committeeman race you vote in. Use the same voter lookup tool to find your polling location and precinct.
Three ways to cast your ballot in the May 2026 primary:
That's it. Voting in May is the single most effective action any Kootenai County Republican can take. The precinct committeeman race on your ballot may be the most consequential race you've never heard of.