How to Register, Vote and Track Your Ballot in Idaho

En español | Idaho offers several ways to register to vote, including online, by mail and in person. All registered voters are eligible to vote absentee. But you’ll need to present a valid ID if you cast your ballot at the polls on Election Day.

The state’s Nov. 8, 2022, general election decided races for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the state Senate and House, the state Supreme Court, and governor and other state offices.

• Upcoming elections: Information about upcoming elections is available at the Idaho elections website.

• Absentee voting: Idaho is a no-excuse voting state, allowing all registered voters to vote absentee.  
  
• In-person voting on Election Day: All counties must offer either early voting or in-person absentee voting. Contact your county clerk’s office to find out which option is available in your county.
  
• Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place on the state’s elections website.

Idaho's state legislative redistricting plan has redrawn the boundaries of districts across the state, changing which candidates will appear on voters' ballots. You can check which district you are voting in on the Idaho Secretary of State's website.

• Online:  Use the state’s online portal to register to vote or update an existing registration. You must have a valid Idaho driver’s license or an identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to complete your online voter registration. If you do not have either, you must register to vote by mail or in person.

• By mail: Download a voter registration form, print it out and mail the completed application to your county clerk’s office. Your application must be postmarked 25 days prior to Election Day. If you miss the deadline, Idaho also allows Election Day registration at your polling place. More information is available on the state elections website. 
  
• In person: Visit your county clerk’s office to pick up a voter registration form or call the state elections office at 208-334-2852 or send an email to elections@sos.idaho.gov to request one be mailed to you. Fill it out and drop it off at your county clerk’s office 25 days prior to Election Day or at your polling place on Election Day.

Idaho lets political parties determine who can vote in their primary elections. Idaho’s Democratic Party is allowing both politically unaffiliated and affiliated voters — even Republican voters — to cast ballots in the May 17 Democratic primary elections. The Idaho Republican Party, on the other hand, holds a closed primary, which means you must be affiliated with the party to vote.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Nov. general election (Oct. 28) has passed. Follow these instructions for future elections.

• Online: Use the state’s online request form to apply for an absentee ballot. To apply online, you must be registered to vote and be ready to input a valid state driver’s license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.  

• By mail or phone: Contact your county clerk’s office to have an absentee ballot application mailed to you.

• In person: Pick up an absentee ballot application at your county clerk’s office. 

Submit your completed absentee ballot by mail or in person at your county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Yes. Use the “Check your voter record” online tool on the state elections website to track your ballot. 

Early voting in Idaho is organized on a county-by-county basis. All counties must offer either early voting or in-person absentee balloting, which takes place at your county clerk’s office. Contact your county clerk’s office to find out which option is available in your district and how to cast your ballot ahead of Election Day.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, although county clerks may open polls as early as 7 a.m. Use the elections website’s online tool to find your polling place.

Yes. All registered voters must present a valid photo ID, such as a state driver’s license, a U.S. passport or a tribal photo identification card. A list of acceptable IDs is on the state elections website. If you do not have an approved photo ID, you’ll be given a Personal Identification Affidavit to sign, in which you swear to your identity under a felony penalty of perjury.

If you register on Election Day, you must bring a valid driver’s license or state ID card, or provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you are unable to provide an acceptable form of ID, you will also need to complete and sign the Personal Identification Affidavit provided by an election clerk at your polling place. 

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Nov. 21, 2022. The guide was first published on July 28, 2020.

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/idaho