Voter Enthusiasm Has Bonneville County Republicans Scrambling To Accommodate

Just one day after an extremely well-attended Mitt Romney rally in Idaho Falls, hype is growing over Tuesday’s first-ever Republican caucus in Idaho.

Now, the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee is scrambling to accommodate a surge of voters.

Don Schanz, the GOP chair in Bonneville County, is calling this a “historic” event for the Gem State.

“It’s gonna be an exciting event,” said Schanz.

Apparently, that excitement is spreading!

Schanz had to call an emergency meeting of the Committee at his home Thursday night in an attempt to figure out where to fit the thousands of Republican voters expected to show up at Tuesday’s caucus.

“The original count three or four months ago was probably 1,500. Then we raised it to 1,800, then to 2,000, then to 2,500. And now, we’re thinking that it could be 3,000 — maybe 3,500 people,” Schanz said.

After much discussion about possibly adding a second location to the already-scheduled Civic Auditorium, the committee realized they had Idaho Falls High School right next-door at their disposal.

“We would utilize the facilities of the high school and expanding in the gymnasium,” Schanz said. “We want to accommodate everyone.”

Schanz is optimistic that every caucus vote will, and should, be counted.

“We will be welcoming everyone. And hopefully everyone will get to participate who would like to,” Schanz said. “The enthusiasm and excitement that is developing is making this one of the most significant events in the history of Bonneville County.”

Voters who are 17 years old now but will be 18 by the general election on Nov. 6 are welcome to register to vote and participate in the Idaho caucus.

All caucus participants must be registered as Republicans.

The Bonneville County Republican caucus begins this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Doors open at 4 p.m. so that people can come early and register to vote.