How to Vote in Idaho’s 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
Key dates
- Republican presidential caucus: Saturday, March 2
- State primary: Tuesday, May 21
- Democratic presidential caucus: Thursday, May 23
- General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Republican presidential caucus: You must vote in person to participate in the Republican caucus.
- Democratic presidential caucus: You must vote in person to participate in the Democratic caucus. Absentee voting is available to those who can’t vote in person because of a disability or illness, work or other acceptable reason.
- State primary: Idaho is a no-excuse voting state, allowing all registered voters to vote absentee. On Election Day, polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place on Idaho’s elections office website.
What to know about recent voting changes
New regulations may change how you vote in the 2024 elections:
- A 2023 law eliminated Idaho’s state-run presidential primary election. Instead, the Republican Party of Idaho and the Idaho Democratic Party will each hold caucuses to select a 2024 nominee for U.S. president.
- As of July 1, 2023, if your residence address doesn’t match the address on your driver’s license, you must provide an acceptable proof of residence to complete your voter registration.
Voter registration
- Online: Use the state’s online portal to register 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. If your address doesn’t match the record on your driver’s license, you may begin the registration process online, but your application won’t be complete until you provide acceptable proof of residence to your county elections office.
- By mail: Download a voter registration form, print it and mail the completed application to your county clerk’s office. You must provide an Idaho driver’s license or state-issued ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number and proof of residence. Your application must be postmarked by Friday, April 26, to participate in the state primary.
- In person: Visit your county clerk’s office to pick up a voter registration form.
- By phone: You may call your county clerk’s office or the state elections office at 208-334-2852 or send an email to elections@sos.idaho.gov to request an application by mail.
Registering to vote on Election Day
If you aren’t registered to vote on Primary Election Day, you can register on-site (unless participating in the Republican Party caucus). You’ll be asked to provide an approved form of identification and proof of residency. If you aren’t able to show an acceptable ID, you have the option to sign a personal identification affidavit at your polling place.
Ways to vote
How to vote in Idaho’s Republican presidential caucus
Note: The deadline to register as a Republican to participate in Idaho’s Republican presidential caucus was December 31, which has now passed.
You must vote in person to participate in the Republican presidential caucus. Each precinct will have an assigned caucus location. Check the Idaho Republican Party’s website for polling locations and times in each county closer to the date.
How to vote in Idaho’s Democratic presidential caucus
You must be a registered Democrat or registered as an unaffiliated voter and sign a pledge to participate only as a Democrat.
If you aren’t registered or want to change your party affiliation, you can do that on-site at all caucus locations. You’ll be required to provide an approved form of identification and proof of residency. If changing your party affiliation, you’ll be required to sign an affidavit stating you haven’t participated in any other party's presidential nominating process.
- In person: Every county will have at least one caucus location. All locations will operate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check the Idaho Democratic Party’s website for additional details and location specifics.
- Absentee voting: Absentee voting is available to those who can’t vote in person because of a disability or illness, work or another acceptable reason. Voters who meet the criteria may request a ballot by mail. Request forms will be available on the Idaho Democratic Party’s website starting Thursday, Feb. 1, through 5 p.m. MT on Thursday, May 16. All absentee ballots must be returned to the Idaho Democratic Party’s headquarters by 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. Deliver your ballot by mail or in person to 413 W. Idaho St., STE 200, Boise, ID 83702.
State primary voting and party affiliation
Idaho uses a closed state primary system, though political parties are permitted to open their elections to unaffiliated voters. When you register to vote, you must affiliate with a state-recognized party to participate in that party’s primary. There are four state-recognized political parties: the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party.
This year, the Republican, Libertarian and Constitution parties chose to have closed primaries, so unaffiliated voters cannot participate. The Democratic Party will open its primary to unaffiliated voters. Unaffiliated voters may instead use a nonpartisan ballot to vote on nonpartisan issues.
Unaffiliated voters may affiliate with a party up to or on Primary Election Day and vote in that party’s election.
Ways to vote in Idaho’s state primary
Requesting an absentee ballot
Idaho is a no-excuse voting state, allowing all registered voters to vote absentee. You can request an absentee ballot online, by mail or in person.
- Online: Use the state’s online request form to request a ballot by Friday, May 10. You must be registered to vote and include your Idaho driver's license or state ID card and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- By mail: Contact your county clerk’s office to have an absentee ballot mailed to you. You can request a ballot up to 11 days prior to Election Day.
- In person: Request an absentee ballot in person at your county clerk’s office up to 11 days before the election.
Returning your absentee ballot
Return your absentee ballot by mail or in person to your county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. To track your absentee ballot, use the state elections website’s online “Search for My Voter Record” tool.
Voting in person before Election Day
All counties offer either early voting or in-person absentee voting. To find out where to vote early or cast an in-person absentee ballot, contact your county clerk’s office. Early voting ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use the secretary of state website’s online tool to find your polling place.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
All registered voters must present an approved photo ID, such as an Idaho driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a tribal identification card or a concealed weapons license issued by an Idaho county sheriff. If you don’t have an approved photo ID, you can sign a personal identification affidavit, in which you swear to your identity under a felony penalty of perjury.
Voting with a disability
Idaho state primary: Each polling place is equipped with an accessible system and voting booth for voters with disabilities. Find more information at the voteIdaho.gov. Voters who need assistance filling in their ballot can receive help from a poll worker or person of their choice. When voting absentee, voters may also receive assistance, but the voter must be the person who signs the absentee ballot.
Curbside assistance and home voting are available in special circumstances. Contact your county clerk in advance to make arrangements.
Republican presidential caucus: All caucus locations will be ADA compliant. Voters who need assistance filling in their ballot can request help from caucus volunteers.
Democratic presidential caucus: All caucus locations will be ADA accessible and have a person on-site who’s trained to assist voters with disabilities. Voters may also request assistance at the polls from a person of their choice or opt for an absentee ballot.
More information about candidates and key races
Key races:
- U.S. President
- U.S. House: two seats
- State House: 70 seats
- State Senate: 35 seats
For sample ballots, contact your county clerk’s office.
Grace Dickinson is a writer for aarp.org who covers federal and state policy. She previously wrote for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Her work has also appeared on sites like HuffPost and Eater.
Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Jan. 12, 2024, with new information about voting in the 2024 state primary and party-run caucuses.
Also of Interest:
- Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections
- Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at states.aarp.org/idaho
