Some Idaho counties say excitement over the 2008 presidential election between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama is enticing more absentee voters, a sign total turnout could be very strong in November.  Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks says the trend is no different here as the number of requests for absentee ballots is so high elections officials are making special arrangements to accommodate voters.

Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks comments

Nez Perce County has not seen voter participation this strong since the 2004 general election.

Weeks continues

Elsewhere in the state, Twin Falls County voters have requested 650 absentee ballots, up from just 564 requests for May’s primary election, while in Minidoka County, 180 people have already voted absentee. Registered voters can request mail ballots until October 29th, or can register and vote absentee until November 3rd in their county courthouse.

According to Idaho rules, voters wishing to vote absentee must request such a ballot every two-year election cycle. For more election information contact the nearest county clerk’s office.

The deadline for paying the second half of 2007 Nez Perce County property taxes is 5pm PDT Friday, June, 20. County Treasurer Barb Fry says the two payment option is a popular choice by many property owners instead of paying one lump sum at the end of each year.

Barb Fry, county treasurer, comments

Those who fail to make payment by the Friday deadline face the risk of being assessed late charges and added interest penalties.

Fry continues

Anyone with questions can contact the Nez Perce County Treasurer’s Office at (208) 799-3030.

A June 25 court date is set for a convicted felon from Lewiston who was arrested last week after Nez Perce County sheriff’s deputies found six firearms in his home.

William MacLachlan, 51, faces six counts of felony unlawful possession of a firearm after authorities found the weapons during last Friday’s search of his Grandbea Lane residence - five of the weapons were loaded.

MacLachlan, a registered sex offender, is barred from owning firearms following his 1994 conviction in Linn County, Ore., on charges of kidnapping, rape, sexual abuse, and burglary.

He’s being held in the Nez Perce County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Nez Perce County Jail officials say their new $17 million facility in north Lewiston should be completed by the end of 2008.

The county contracted a Montana company to build the 61,000-square-foot jail complex last year, and broke ground on the site in late June 2007. County officials say the project should be completed by Dec. 15.

The jail is expected to hold 156 inmates, the county sheriff’s office and a driver’s licensing office.