How to Vote in Idaho’s 2024 Elections

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• Deadline to register to vote in advance: Friday, Oct. 11
• Early voting: Monday, Oct. 21, through Friday, Nov. 1
• Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot: Friday, Oct. 25
• General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5

• Voter registration: The deadline to register in advance is Friday, Oct. 11. You may also register in person during early voting or on Election Day at your polling place. To check your registration status, use the state’s online tool.

• Absentee voting: Any registered voter may vote absentee in Idaho. 

• Early voting: Many, but not all, counties offer early voting. Contact your county clerk’s office to see if it’s an option in your area. 

• Voting in person on Election Day: Poll hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Find your polling location using the secretary of state’s online tool.

Otto Kitsinger/AP Photo

• 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.

• Under a law enacted in April 2024, it’s illegal for someone else to return a voter’s absentee ballot, unless it’s a relative, a household member or caregiver, or an individual paid by the voter to deliver the ballot. Postal workers and election officials are also exempt.

You can register:

• Online: Use the state’s online portal to register or update an existing registration by midnight on Friday, Oct. 11. You must have a valid Idaho driver’s license or an identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles. 

• By mail: Print and complete a voter registration form. Then hand-deliver or mail the application to your county clerk’s office. 

• In person: Visit your county clerk’s office to pick up a voter registration form and complete it. 

• By phone: 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.

When registering by mail or in person, you must provide proof of residence and either a current Idaho driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or federal photo ID, a tribal ID card or a concealed weapons license issued by a county sheriff in Idaho.
Applications returned by mail must be postmarked by the deadline date of Friday, Oct. 11, and applications returned in person must be received before close of business.

You can register at the polls on Election Day or during the early voting period. You’ll be asked to provide an approved form of identification and proof of residency.

To check your registration status, use the state’s online tool.

Any registered voter may vote absentee in Idaho. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. local time.

Request an absentee ballot:

• Online: Use the state’s online request portal. You must be registered to vote and provide your Idaho driver's license or ID card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. 

• By mail: Print an absentee ballot application, or contact your county clerk’s office to have an absentee ballot application mailed to you. Return your completed application to your county clerk. Your application must be received – not just postmarked – by the return deadline (Friday, Oct. 25). 

• In person: Complete an absentee ballot in person at your county clerk’s office.

Return the completed ballot by mail, to an official elections drop box, or your county clerk's office by 8 p.m. local time on Election Day. Contact your county clerk for drop box locations. If returning by mail, you must provide postage.

To track your absentee ballot, use the secretary of state’s online tool.

Many, but not all, counties offer early voting, starting Monday, Oct. 21, through 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. Locations and hours vary, so contact your county clerk’s office to see if early voting is offered in your area.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. To find your polling location, use the secretary of state’s online tool.

For sample ballots, contact your county clerk’s office.

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.

All voters, including those with disabilities and nursing home residents, can vote absentee.

When voting at the polls, all locations offer accessible voting equipment. If you need assistance, you can bring someone with you or request help from an election worker. Contact your county elections office for more information.

Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 12, 2024 and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.

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 including HuffPost and Eater.

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