Elections

Want to vote? Intelligently? Start here. Our Voter Guide for city, school elections

Election Day will be here soon: Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Odd years like 2021 offer no big federal or state contests, but there are plenty of closer-to-home decisions to make. If you care about the Treasure Valley’s growth, escalating housing prices, property taxes, police and fire protection, and parks — that is, many of the problems and services that help define city dwellers’ everyday lives — this is the time to vote.

City council races are on the ballot in all nine of the Treasure Valley’s largest cities: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Star, Garden City and Middleton. Boise has a costly sewer bond on the ballot, too.

School board candidates are on ballots in the West Ada, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, Vallivue and Middleton school districts.

If you need basic voting information — how to register, whether you’re already registered, whether you can vote early or by mail, and where to vote — read our story, “Treasure Valley voters: Want to vote in Tuesday’s elections? Here’s what you need to know.”

The Idaho Statesman prepared Voter Guides to each of the city and school candidate contests. You’ll find biographical information and candidate photos alongside the candidates’ answers to our questions on key issues. Follow these links:

MAYORS & COUNCILS

Boise: 3 City Council contests (in first-ever district voting)

Meridian: 3 City Council contests

Nampa: Mayor, 2 City Council contests

Caldwell: Mayor, 3 City Council contests. Here’s our story about the mayoral race.

Eagle: 2 City Council contests

Kuna: 2 City Council contests (plus 1 uncontested seat)

Garden City: Mayor, 2 City Council contests

Star: 2 City Council contests

Middleton: 2 City Council contests

SCHOOL BOARDS

Nampa School Board: 3 races

West Ada School Board: 2 races

Kuna School Board: 2 races

Vallivue, Middleton and Caldwell School Boards: 7 races

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In addition to the Voter Guides above, check out these stories:

BALLOT MEASURES

Boise sewer bond: Boise to voters on sewer rates: Pay 53% more now or 10% more for decades. Your choice.” Also, our earlier story.

LIST OF ALL CANDIDATES, INCLUDING SPECIAL DISTRICTS

Ada County

Canyon County

BOISE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS

This story explains the new districts and who can vote in which contests this year.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Hot-button issues like masks and critical race theory influence West Ada, Nampa candidacies

WHO’S BACKING WHOM WITH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

West Ada School Board candidates raise thousands of dollars.

Meridian City Council candidates raise more than predecessors did.

Boise City Council: Idaho Republicans back 2 candidates

STATESMAN EDITORIAL BOARD ENDORSEMENTS

Garden City mayor

Caldwell mayor

Nampa mayor

Boise City Council District 1 (West Boise), Laura Metzler and Luci Willits. Video interviews with candidates.

Boise City Council District 3 (North & Northwest Boise), Lisa Sanchez (incumbent), Greg MacMillan, Maria Santa Cruz Cernik, Nick Domeny. Video interviews with candidates.

Boise City Council District 5 (East End, Downtown, part of Bench), Holli Woodings (incumbent), Katie Fite, Crispin Gravatt, Steve Madden. Video interviews with candidates.

Letters to the editor endorsing candidates

Boise sewer bond editorial

Guest opinion on Boise sewer bond by Mike Lanza.

Early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 29.

Learn more about local elections at IdahoStatesman.com/Election. Bookmark the page for fast access to our continuing coverage throughout this election.

This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Want to vote? Intelligently? Start here. Our Voter Guide for city, school elections."

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