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Melissa Wintrow for Senate District 19

Early Voting in Ada County starts today -- October 13

 

Ada County provides voters with opportunities to cast their ballot before Election Day, either by voting during the early voting period or requesting an absentee ballot and voting by mail. This allows voters to participate in the election process, even if they are not present during Election Day.

WHY VOTE EARLY?
  • Early voting is a great way to get the in-person voting experience while avoiding hassle on Election Day. (You also get your sticker!)
  • You can register to vote at Early Voting, just like you could on Election Day.
  • You also can drop off absentee ballots at Early Voting locations - so get your ballot in!
  • Early voting is great because you can avoid Election Day hassle!

Here in Ada County, you can check this interactive map to check early voting locations, mobile voting, and drop boxes: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1kIbnRs1IRVuF_mtB7EU0RVZnQd2snJb4&usp=sharing.   

ABSENTEE BALLOTS
I put my ballot in the mail today. If you are voting my mail, I STRONGLY encourage you to complete and send in this week, but no later than Oct. 23 to increase the chances it gets to the elections office on time. It's essential to follow the directions exactly as provided.  

Watch this short video on the Ada County Elections Website to view the step by step instructions. 


Join Me in Voting for Team D19!  


Why I’m Running for the Senate

I’m running for the Idaho Senate to further elevate the voices and needs of Idahoans in District 19 and throughout the state. It has been an honor to serve in the Idaho House of Representative for the past 6 years. I have built lasting relationships and developed a sound understanding of the state budgeting process through my work on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC). Serving on JFAC has allowed me to influence funding for health services, education, victim services, and rental assistance in my recent assignment on the Governor’s Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee.

My decision to run for office 6 years ago was spurred on by encouragement from colleagues and my involvement as a Program Manager for N.E.W. Leadership Idaho. N.E.W. (National Education for Women) is an intensive week-long institute for college women run through Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). The purpose of the institute: to inspire more women to run for public office. After implementing this conference and mentoring numerous students, especially women, it was clear that it was time for me to “enter the arena,” and utilize my skills and experience to better our state.

I’m very happy about the legislation I have passed to reform the way we process, track and preserve sexual assault evidence in the state, but being a legislator is more than passing legislation. I have learned that doing your homework is essential, putting in the time to truly understand the complexity of issues and address the needs of our citizens.

I’m particularly proud of the work I have done through “constituent services,” responding to requests and concerns and bringing stakeholders together to solve problems. Several years ago, I started working with a group of people providing Nonemergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) to Medicaid recipients throughout the state. There were significant problems that needed to be addressed with the NEMT system; it felt quite daunting as I responded to and chronicled thousands of emails and complaints, hosted meeting after meeting, researched the problems, and communicated with appropriate parties. Over several years working with stakeholders, we were able to secure significant funding increases for providers who hadn’t had a raise in over a decade and reform systems to provide more effective services to our citizens, in particular citizens with developmental disabilities who use these services to get to appointments in the community. Because of our work, the Department of Health and Welfare created an advisory council to ensure that our citizens are getting the care they deserve.

I love serving my community. Boise is unsurpassed in providing an ideal quality of life and opportunities for growth and creativity: a thriving arts community, home to a major university, easy access to the outdoors, and a vibrant business community.

I am dedicated to protecting Idaho’s public lands, investing in education, advocating for fairness and equality for all of Idaho’s citizens, and supporting an economy that works for everyone.

Looking back on that time in 2014 when my colleagues suggested I run, I’m glad I faced the fear and anxiety about running and pursued this opportunity. It is a gift to serve and to represent District 19.
My colleagues Rep Nechochea and Rep Rubel joined Ada County Commissioner, Diana Lachiondo, for a town hall on property taxes, a topic that is on all of our minds.  We know who we got here, now listen to my colleagues share some of the solutions to get out of the property tax burden that so many tax payers face.

Bottom Line Solutions for Property Tax Fairness:
● Remove the cap on the homeowners exemption so it increases as your home’s value
increases. This exemption was capped at $100,000 in 2016 by my GOP colleagues, which substantially shifted the burden for property taxes from commercial real estate to residential. Prior to that bill passing, there was a 45 percent/50 percent split between commercial and residential.  Now, it's a 30 percent/70 percent split between commercial and residential -- that's just not fair and it's harming long time residents. 
● Allow school districts to collect impact fees on new development instead of passing the
buck onto existing homeowners with endless levies. Growth should pay for itself.
● Increase property tax assistance for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, which hasn't been adjusted since 2006.

Unfortunately, these proposals have been rejected by the Republican supermajority in past sessions, but we will not stop fighting for fairness for all of our citizens. 

Meet Nikki Davidson! Boise State Student and Intern

Hi all, my name is Nikki Davidson. I am a senior in the social work program at BSU, minoring in community development and human rights. I feel privileged to be interning for Representative Wintrow this year and learning more about our community through the work she does. I’m an Idahoan through and through and I’m passionate about fighting for justice in our nation and our local communities. Next fall, I will be attending law school and working towards a dual degree with a Masters in social work and a Juris Doctorate. In my free time, I love to explore Idaho with my dogs and spend time with my family. I feel so lucky to live in this beautiful state and help work towards making Idaho even greater, for all communities. 
ENDORSED BY THE IDAHO STATESMAN
 
I’m honored to receive the Idaho Statesman’s endorsement for State Senate. I will continue to lead with civility, respect, and a passion for what is right. I will bring your voices forward finding reasonable and just solutions to the problems we face. I want to thank everyone who has supported me for the past 6 years in the House. I especially want to thank my husband Brad Sneed for always lifting my spirits and reminding me what is most important in life.....fishing, loved ones, and balance. You are my rock.
"Not only has she been a consistent, reasonable and respected voice of opposition as a member of the superminority party in the Legislature, she has also proven to be an effective legislator. Most notably, she has introduced and passed a series of landmark laws that have reformed how sexual assault kits are tracked, processed and tested in Idaho. Her legislation has won bipartisan support and has forever changed what once was a seriously flawed system."

 
It takes a lot of resources to run a campaign and fund throughout the year, like this newsletter. If you haven't contributed yet or have a little more to give, please CLICK HERE to support my campaign.  A little can go a long way!
Paid for by Wintrow for Idaho | Treasurer Anne Kunkel
1711 Ridenbaugh, Boise, ID - 83702

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