Once the county commissioners have issued the order for the districting election [I.C. § 33-2704(5)], the clerk of the board of county commissioners will see to the publication of a notice of the upcoming library district election. The date of this election will be on the next uniform election date as provided for in I.C. § 34-106.
All notices of the election shall be given in accordance with general election laws of the state of Idaho, and the election conducted according to those laws. The ballot must contain the wording:
{District Name} Library District–Yes
{District Name} Library District–No
each followed by a box in which the voter can mark her or his choice by marking a cross “X.” [See I.C. § 33-2705.] We have prepared a sample ballot.
Reality Check
It is a good idea for the Working Group representatives who have been working with the county clerk to stay in touch with the clerk throughout the election process and to monitor the various election processes that need to be completed.
Getting Out the Vote. One of the most important activities for an election is the effort to get out the vote on election day. In order to get out the vote, lists of voters who have indicated their support for the library district should be maintained. If possible, these voters should be listed by precinct or voting place.
On election days, volunteers can then contact these voters to remind them to vote and to provide them with information about voting hours and their polling places. Well before election day, the homebound and others in need of assistance should be offered help in obtaining absentee ballots or transportation to and from the polls. If the election is not being held during a general election, it is absolutely vital to get out supportive voters, as relatively few registered voters will make it to the polls. Thus, a small number of voters can make a big difference in this kind of election.
Results Certification, Canvassing, and the Creation Order. After the election, the board of election (election judges appointed by the county clerk) must certify the results to the county commissioners within three (3) days, and within seven (7) days the county commissioners must canvass the results. [See I.C. § 33-2705.] If the majority of voters vote to establish the district, the county commissioners are required to enter an order declaring the district’s establishment. The order must include the name and boundaries of the new district as well as a map prepared in a draftsmanlike manner.
Reality Check
Establishing a library district in Idaho requires a vote of 50% +1 of those voting.
The county board of commissioners is required to send a certified copy of this order to the county recorder, county assessor, Idaho State Tax Commission, and the Board of Library Commissioners “in a timely manner but no later than December 15, in the calendar year in which the election was held.” [See I.C. § 33-2705 Idaho Code.]
Mailing address for the Board of Library Commissioners:
Board of Library Commissioners
Idaho Commission for Libraries
325 W. State Street
Boise, ID 83702
Multiple County Elections and Orders of Establishment. In the case of a proposed district that extends into two or more counties, a majority of voters in each county must approve the district before it is created. When this occurs, the home county’s commissioners enter an order creating the district and send a certified copy of the order to the county commissioners of all other counties that have territory in the district. The board of county commissioners of any other county affected shall enter the order in its minutes. A copy of this order shall also be transmitted to the Board of Library Commissioners. [See I.C. § 33-2706.]