May 21 is the primary election for US representatives, state legislators, county sheriffs, county prosecuting attorneys, and county commissioners. But what many don’t realize is that it’s also the election for precinct committee officers (PCOs).

The races for PCOs are among the least-known political races, and as such, they often go uncontested, until now!

Why is the role of PCO important? The men and women in this position represent the registered voters in their respective precincts. They get involved in outreach for their parties and are the direct link between the voters and their party. PCOs form committees to discuss improvements. Most important, they can help fill empty legislative seats through voting. For being relatively unknown by nearly all voters, PCOs can hold a lot of influence!

The Idaho GOP, and especially the Bonneville County GOP, is experiencing turmoil and division right now. While hard-right conservatives may have good intentions, their methods are impractical, and they’re unwilling to compromise. “If you’re not with us, you’re against us” is their philosophy. But this isn’t the spirit of conservatism. It is said that Ronald Reagan told his staff that “the person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20 percent traitor.”

Right now we are seeing a record number of candidates running for PCO in Bonneville County. This is a turning point for the Idaho GOP. A wave of change is coming, and we need commonsense conservatives to step up and make their voices heard!

For information on voting and candidates, visit voteidaho.gov.