Welcome to the City of Sandpoint’s Election Services website. I am available as the City’s Chief Election Official to provide the basic information to anyone who is interested in the City of Sandpoint’s election process. If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding the City’s election process. I can be reached by telephone at 263-3310, fax at 263-3678 or by e-mail

Maree Peck

NEXT ELECTION DATE: November 6, 2007, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

POSITIONS UP FOR ELECTION: 1 City Council position (2 years), 3 City Council positions (4 years) and Mayor (4 years). City elections do not run by political affiliation, districts, nor seat.

SAMPLE BALLOTS: The sample ballot for the general election is available for review on our website (Click Here!). A separate ballot for a special ballot election also held on November 6th for a proposed 5% hotel/motel room occupancy tax and a 2% drink tax are available for review on our website (Click Here!).

CANDIDATES: Any qualified elector who has resided in the city limits of Sandpoint for at least 30 days may become a candidate by submitting the petition with no less than 5 signatures, or petition of candidacy accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of $40.00. The first day for filing declarations is Monday, August 27, 2007 and the final day for filing declarations is Friday, September 7, 2007. The last day for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent is Tuesday, October 23rd.

CANDIDATE PACKETS: Packets with all the necessary forms for becoming a candidate can be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office at 1123 Lake Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING: Idaho Code 50-477 provides that Idaho campaign disclosures apply to elections for mayor council and ballot measures in cities over 5,000 population. The City of Sandpoint is covered by the Idaho Sunshine Law. All candidates will be required to file campaign disclosure statements. Candidates will be provided the campaign forms when they pick up their petition for candidacy OR before any money is raised or spent on their campaign, they must certify a treasurer on the proper form available at the city clerk’s office. This procedure can be done long before the petition of candidacy is due.

QUALIFIED ELECTOR FOR CITY ELECTIONS: A qualified elector is anyone who has registered to vote and has resided within the city limits at least 30 days prior to election.

VOTER REGISTRATON: Anyone who is 18 years of age, a resident within the City of Sandpoint and have not been found guilty of a felony, can register to vote. You can register at City Hall, 1123 Lake Street, or at the Bonner County Courthouse at 215 North First Avenue. In order to register to vote you must have a photo ID, either a driver’s license or State issued identification card. If the address on the photo ID is not your current address, you must show proof of current residence such as a copy of a utility bill or bank statement. The deadline for registering to vote at the polls is Friday, October 12, 2007. Following that date, you may register and vote absentee until November 5, 2007. You may also register and vote at your designated polling place on Election Day, November 6, 2007.

ABSENTEE VOTING: Any qualified elector may vote absentee from the time the ballots are available until 5:00 p.m. on November 5th, the day before election. Absentee voting is now available at City Hall at 1123 Lake Street from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Monday through Friday. The absentee request form is now available on our website (Click Here!). Please remember to completely fill out the form and sign your name. The absentee form is to be returned to Maree Peck, City Clerk, 1123 Lake Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. The last day to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is October 31st. The request forms for mailed ballots must be received no later than Wednesday, October 31st. The City Clerk must receive mailed ballots by 8 p.m., November 6th.