Long and sometimes bitter campaign over in Lewiston

Lewiston voters preparing to cast their ballots Tuesday.

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Story Published: Nov 3, 2009 at 8:13 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2009 at 8:13 PM PST

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - Election Day saw Lewiston voters heading to the polls in a steady stream.

Some said it's been the most negative election they've seen, and others said they still weren't sure who to pick, but with the campaign over, voters were making their decisions in what appears to be an election in Lewiston with a lot of interest and perhaps a lot at stake.

There was only one ballot issue in Lewiston, and it was the eight-person race for four seats on the Lewiston City Council. The lone race has been enough to get voters eager to fill in the oval.

"A lot of it was my own research into the EMS issue and the debate as to how it was being handled, more than anything that really peaked my interest, and I'm pretty politically-minded," said Lewiston voter Terry Wright.

Voter Margaret Praest said she noticed a lot more negativity in the 2009 campaign.

"A lot of things that are being said I don't think are quite true," said Praest. "I think they should be getting into more of the facts about what is really going on."

Many precincts were reporting higher voter turnouts than showed up during the entire 2007 city election. That year, turnout was just under 17 percent.

Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks said they were expecting that number to double by the end of Tuesday. Weeks also said there are already about 70 percent more absentee votes counted compared to totals from the last two city elections.

Voters may not know the counts, but say it just seems busier at the polls this year.

"People are interested in who's going to govern our council, and I think that's good," said Praest.

"They've actually showed up in a lot more droves, if you will, than I figured it would be," said Wright. "In elections past, it hasn't been quite as enthusiastic. Let's put it that way."

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