As recently reported in the CDA/Post Falls Press, an element of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee planned and partially implemented a plot to take over control of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee. The scheme relied on recruiting Republican Extremists to change party affiliation and pose as Democrats in Precinct Committeeperson races during the May 17 Primary Election.
News About the Election Interference Attempt
April 1 Anonymous no longer
March 10 Elephants in the room
Plot Implications
As a result of their efforts, eleven fake Democrats, i.e., Democrats in Name Only (DINO), succeeded in getting listed on the Democrat’s Primary Ballot. In addition, two more are expected to run write-in campaigns. Consequently, we now must deal with the fact that fourteen precincts will have DINO’s running for Precinct Committeeperson in the Primary. With your help, we can ensure that they do not inadvertently receive your vote.
How to Check Your Ballot
Before you vote in the Democratic Primary election, verify who the Real Democrat is in your Precinct Committeeperson race. Here’s how:
Precinct Numbers Have Changed, Confirm your Precinct
As a result of redistricting, precinct boundaries were redrawn and renumbered. As a result, your precinct number has changed. To verify your new precinct number, Check Your Voter Record. This voter resource allows you to confirm your current voter information including your new precinct number.
Check the Table of Affected Precincts
Check the table below to see if you live in a Precinct affected by Republican interference. If you see your precinct listed in the table, please confirm the name of the Real Democrat to avoid voting for a DINO candidate. We have vetted these candidates and can confirm they are legitimate. Otherwise, if there is no Real Democrat running, DO NOT CAST A VOTE. If your Precinct is not listed here, then your ballot has not been tainted by this election interference effort.
| Precinct # | DINO | Real Democrat | Addl. Voting Instructions |
| 203 | Cynthia Worl | Don’t Vote | |
| 206 | Heather Brazelton | Brigid Niedenzu | |
| 207 | Vickie Getz | Write In and Vote | |
| 304 | Danial Finley | Wesley Michael | |
| 308 | Kristoff Saurette | Judith Purdy | |
| 310 | Steven Montagne | Don’t Vote | |
| 317 | Carolyn Mattoon | Write In and Vote | |
| 323 | Barbara Johnson | Write In and Vote | |
| 401 | Robert Lawrie | Sarah Glenn | |
| 411 | Randy Neal | Dan Kunz | |
| 416 | Spencer Fansler | Phil Ward | |
| 508 | Erik Klinkhammer | Ally Noland | |
| 518 | Dave Reilly | Alicia Canger, Brandi Mayers | This race has two Real Democrats. Both are legit. |
| 520 | Paul Bauman | Mirna Pleines |
Regarding Write-in Candidates
If your precinct has a Real Democrat listed as a write-in candidate (there are three of them), you must take care to ensure your vote counts. First, print their name correctly on the blank line provided on your ballot. Then, fill in the bubble next to their name. Uncontested, write-in candidates need five or more votes to win their seat.
