Idaho

Land Acknowledgement

Idaho is home to the Coeur D'Alene Tribe, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation of Idaho, and it is the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

In Idaho you can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. If you mail in your registration, it must be postmarked by October 14. However, you may also register in person any time until 8PM on Election Day. When voting you will be asked to provide a valid ID. If you do not have an ID, you can still cast a regular ballot by signing a Personal Identification Affidavit.

Key Dates

October 14 - Mail-in voter registrations must be received by County Clerk. Voters can continue to register in person.

October 24 – Early voting begins (times and dates vary by county).

October 28 – Deadline to request an absentee ballot.

November 8 - Election Day! Polls will be open from 8AM to 8PM.

Contacts

Idaho Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • If you mail in your registration it must be postmarked by October 14. However, you may also register to vote at the polls on Election Day.

  • Maybe. Pursuant to Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, and Nez Perce County must provide voting material in American Indian languages. Contact your County Clerk for more information.

  • You will be asked to provide either your Idaho driver's license number OR the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have either of these, you may still register to vote. If you are a first-time voter in Idaho, you must also provide a copy of a current and valid photo identification card AND a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document dated at least 30 days prior that shows your name and address.

  • Idaho requires a residence address, not a P.O. Box or business address. If you do not have a street address, you can describe the location of your residence by cross streets, section, township, range, or other physical description.

  • Contact your County Clerk for questions regarding your address.

  • You can use an Idaho driver's license, State ID card, U.S. passport, tribal photo ID, a current student photo ID, or a license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff. If you would like an Idaho driver's license or ID, start with this website.

  • Yes, if you have an Idaho driver's license or State ID card, you may register online.

  • No.

  • Yes. You may register to vote in person at your County Election office or polling location on Election Day.

    Find the voter registration form and County Election office information.

  • Yes. You may print and mail your registration form to the County Election office. You must include a copy of a current photo ID AND a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document dated at least 30 days prior that shows your name and address.

    Find the voter registration form and County Election office information.

  • Yes. Anyone convicted of a felony automatically has their voting rights restored upon completion of their sentence, including probation or parole.

  • Contact your County Clerk.

  • If you mail in your registration it must be postmarked by October 14. However, you may also register to vote at the polls on Election Day.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • Voters do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot in Idaho. All absentee ballot requests must be received by 5PM on October 28.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • If you have an Idaho driver's license or State ID, you may request an absentee ballot online. If you do not have either ID, you can print out the absentee ballot request form and mail it to your County Clerk.

    Find the form and County Clerk mailing addresses.

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • Absentee ballot requests must be received by 5PM on October 28.

  • Absentee voting will begin on September 23.

  • Your absentee ballot can be mailed to either your address of registration or any alternative address you provide on your absentee ballot request.

  • Maybe. If you live in a mail ballot precinct, meaning a precinct with less than 140 registered voters, your absentee ballot return envelope will be prepaid. Contact your County Clerk.

  • The USPS recommends you mail in your absentee ballot one week prior to the state deadline. In Idaho, you should mail in your ballot by Tuesday, November 1.

  • Yes. You may drop off your ballot at your County Clerk office.

    Find locations and contact information.

  • This information is not currently available. We will keep monitoring this issue and update as soon as we can.

  • No. Ballots may only be sent through USPS or dropped at a specified location.

  • No.

  • Maybe. Ballots with signatures that do not match the signature on file may be rejected. In addition, if a voter's envelope contains more than one ballot it may be rejected. Election officials are not required to notify voters about any issues with ballots, so make sure your ballot is filled out carefully.

  • Yes, you can track your ballot online using this website.

  • Contact your County Clerk.

Voting In-Person

  • Find your polling location here.

  • Maybe. Pursuant to Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, and Nez Perce County must provide voting material in American Indian languages.

    Contact your County Clerk.

  • Yes. Early voting begins on October 24, but not all counties choose to conduct early voting. Visit your County Clerk website for details specific to your county.

  • Yes. You can use an Idaho driver's license, State ID card, U.S. passport, tribal photo ID, a current student photo ID, or a license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff. However, if you do not have an ID you can still cast a ballot by signing a Personal Identification Affidavit.

  • If you would like an Idaho driver's license or State ID, start with this website.

  • No. Voters who do not bring an ID to the polls but are registered to vote may vote by regular ballot if they sign a Personal Identification Affidavit.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • Contact your County Clerk.