Bonner County's 2026 general election season opens next week. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and on Tuesday, Oct. 20, local media will host a candidate forum for Idaho Legislative District 1 and the Bonner County Board of Commissioners.
The forum runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Sandpoint High School auditorium at 410 S. Boyer Ave. The Bonner County Daily Bee, KRFY Panhandle Community Radio, SandpointOnline.com, and the Sandpoint Reader are hosting, with Chris Bessler moderating. Candidates in contested races have been invited, and tables in the cafeteria outside the auditorium will let voters meet candidates and pick up literature before and after the forum.
The contested races on the ballot: District 1 Senate — Republican Scott Herndon and Independent Steve Johnson; District 1A House — Democrat Karen Matthee and Republican Jane Sauter; District 1B House — Independent Kathryn Larson and Republican Cornel Rasor; and Bonner County Commission District 1 — Independent Fred Arn and Republican Steve Smith.
The format gives each candidate in a contested race two minutes for an opening statement, followed by written questions from the audience and two-minute closing statements. Candidates in uncontested races are invited to offer brief statements during the opening period. The forum will be broadcast live on the evening of Oct. 20 on 88.5 KRFY, with the recording posted afterward on KRFY.org and coverage in the Bee and the Reader.
Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bonner County Elections Office, 1500 Hwy. 2, Suite 124 in Sandpoint. Friday, Oct. 23 is the last day to pre-register with the County Clerk's Office and the last day to request an absentee ballot — requests must be received, not just postmarked, by 8 p.m. that day. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters can find precinct information and more at voteidaho.gov or bonnercountyid.gov/elections.