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
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
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.
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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."