Fort Hall Business Council endorses Kamala Harris
By Office of Public Affairs
FORT HALL – The Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) encourages the Shoshone-Bannock membership to exercise their right to vote in the Tuesday, November 5 United States General Election.
To enable voting, the FHBC approved the free printing of a new Tribal IDs by the Enrollment Department for those who have just turned 18, and for those 18 and older with an expired ID now through December 31.
The FHBC encourages the membership to consider candidates who value and support the Tribes’ right to sovereignty, understand their unique challenges, and show commitment to consulting and collaborating with the Tribes to address initiatives on the Fort Hall Reservation and throughout Indian Country.
Through an October 24, resolution the FHBC formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President and Congressman Mike Simpson for the U.S. Representative District 2.
Vice President Harris is a candidate who honors tribal sovereignty, respects tribal self-determination, and vows to fight to provide opportunities for Native communities. Of note, she also cast the tie-breaking vote authoring the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided funding for initiatives that enable Tribes to plan for and adapt to climate change, mitigate drought, support fisheries, and shift to clean energy production. A direct impact of her support is the new bridge by the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Casino and various grants made available to the Tribes.
Congressman Simpson has been an ally to the Tribes with a long history championing projects that benefit and enhance the Fort Hall Reservation community. He maintains personal relationships with tribal members and has firsthand knowledge of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Simpson is directly responsible for programming the funding for the new Fort Hall Fire Department Fire Station, Eagle Road improvements, and other projects benefiting the Tribes.
On the Ballot – State & Local Offices
For Bannock County, District 28
For State Senator - Jim Guthrie (Rep.), Russell “Russ” Matter (Dem.), or write in Mike Saville.
For State Representative, Seat A - Richard “Rick” Cheatum (Rep.)., unopposed.
State Representative, Seat B – Dan Garner (Rep.) or Jayson Meline (Dem.)
Candidates for County Commissioner District 1 – Ernie Moser (Rep.), unopposed
Candidates for County Commissioner, District 3 – Ken Bullock (Rep.) or Tamara Code (Dem.)
County Sheriff – Tony Manu (Rep.), unopposed.
County Prosecuting Attorney - Jennifer M. Call (Dem.) or Ian Johnson (Rep.)
Magistrate Judge – Shall Magistrate Anson Ladell Call, II of Bannock County of the 6th Judicial District be retained in office? Yes or no?
Shall Magistrate Aaron N. Thompson of Bannock County of the 6th Judicial District be retained in office? Yes or no?
Portneuf Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (vote for three), Paul Laurence Chugg Schmidtlein, Idaho Law – carta Sierra, Scott Henderson, Kevin Koester, or Brad Kent.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District Supplemental Levy Election – In favor of authorizing a supplemental levy amount of $8,250,000 per year for two years. Or against authorizing the supplemental levy.
For Bingham County, District 30
State Senator for District 30 – Karen Keith (Dem.) or Julie VanOrden (Rep.)
State Representative District 30 Seat A – David Cannon (Rep.), unopposed.
State Representative District 30 Seat B – Breane Buckingham (Dem.) or Ben F. Fuhriman (Rep.).
County Commissioner District 1- Drew Jensen (Rep.), unopposed.
County Commissioner District 3 Eric Jackson (Rep.), unopposed.
County Sheriff – Vaughn A. LeFevre (Ind.) or Jeff Gardner (Rep.).
County Prosecuting Attorney – Ryan William Jolley (Rep.), unopposed.
Magistrate Judge – Shall Magistrate Cleve B. Colson of Bingham County of the Seventh Judicial District be retained in office? Yes or no?
For Power County District 28
County Commissioner District 1 – Jason Todd Povey (Rep.), unopposed.
County Commissioner District 3 – Lynn Scherer (Ind.) or Chris Fehringer (Rep.)
County Sheriff – Joshua Cambell (Rep.), unopposed.
County Prosecuting Attorney – Brock H. Bischoff (Rep.), unopposed.
The Idaho ballot also includes Proposition 1 and House Joint Resolution 5.
American Falls District Levy – In favor of authorizing the permanent override levy in the amount of $200,000? Or against?
Proposition 1
Proposition 1 is a proposal to abolish Idaho’s current primary election process that nominates a party’s general election candidates through primary elections. Meaning with Idaho being a traditionally Republican state this would potentially give non-Republicans a greater chance to win a general election.
• Proposition 1 is supported by Idaho’s 275,000 unaffiliated voters.
• Independent and Democrats support is increasing.
• Republicans generally don’t support Proposition 1.
Idaho Constitutional Amendment - House Joint Resolution 5
House Joint Resolution 5 is a proposed constitutional amendment adding redundant language to Idaho’s constitution authorizing only U.S. citizens may vote in Idaho.
• Voting “yes” supports approving the amendment adding stronger language dictating that only U.S. citizens may vote in Idaho.
• Voting “no” supports making no change to the Idaho Constitution.
Voting information
Early voting is available through Friday, November 1 at the following locations:
Bannock County, 141 N. 6th Ave., in Pocatello from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
Bingham County, 501 N. Maple, in Blackfoot from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
Power County, 543 Bannock Ave., in American Falls from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.)
Reservation residents living in Bannock County can vote at Sho-Ban Jr./Sr. High School; reservation residents living in Bingham County can vote at Fort Hall Elementary School; Bannock Creek residents living in Power County can vote at the Pocatello Airport; Bannock Creek residents living in Power County (Arbon Valley residents) can vote at the Arbon Valley Bible Church.
Off Reservation residents can go to the Idaho State Elections Website for voting location information at https://sos.idaho.gov/elections-division/
Polling site hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on voting day.
If you’re registered to vote, be sure to bring one of the following, Tribal ID card, Idaho Driver’s License, Idaho issued state identification card, U.S. passport, or Idaho Concealed Weapon License.
If you didn’t register to vote, same day voting registration is available. To do this, bring your ID and one document showing your physical address for proof of residence, like a bank statement, car insurance, mortgage/rental agreement, utility bill, etc. (No P.O. boxes)
The deadline to request an absentee ballot has passed. Those who have absentee ballots must deliver it in person or by mail to their respective county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal employees may use up to one hour of Civic Duty Leave to vote, as allowed by their supervisor.
Those convicted of a misdemeanor crime can vote. If convicted of a felony, one may vote if they’ve completed their full sentence along with any probation or parole.
Resources
To find your sample ballot visit www.VoteIdaho.gov
Information on Idaho Democratic candidates can be found at https://idahodems.org/2024-candidate-directory
Information on Idaho Republican candidates can be found at https://idgop.org
