Idaho Voting Guide

When is Idaho's voter registration deadline?

The registration deadlines in Idaho vary depending on your method of registration. If you register online, you must do so at least 25 days before election day.

If you choose to register by mail, your forms must be postmarked at least 25 days before election day. You must include a copy of a valid photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document showing your name and address. A federal photo identification card will suffice as well.

The Idaho legislature offers same-day registration. You can register at your polling place if you don't register by the deadline. Make sure you bring the necessary identification. You must register in advance if you wish to use an absentee ballot.

How do I request an absentee ballot in Idaho?

More people choose to vote using an absentee ballot today than ever before. Since COVID-19, people have taken advantage of the convenience of mail-in voting.

Follow the below instructions if you intend to vote with an absentee ballot:

• Idaho residents can request an absentee ballot using this form. You must complete it, print it, sign it, and deliver it to your county clerk's office. You can also request an absentee ballot online.
• If you want election officials to mail you an absentee ballot, you must ask the county clerk's office to do so by the 11th day before the election. Check your state’s website to find the date of the next upcoming election.
• You can cast an absentee ballot by mail or in person at your polling place by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the election.
• If you are a military member or live overseas, you can use the FVAP website to request an absentee ballot.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Idaho?

On election day, you must bring certain information and documentation to the polling place. For example, voters must present a valid photo ID.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Idaho driver's license
• Idaho ID card issued by the Idaho Transportation Department
• U.S. Passport or a photo ID issued by an agency of the U.S. government
• Tribal photo ID card
• Student ID card, including a photograph, issued by a high school or accredited institution of higher learning within the state of Idaho
• Concealed carry weapon license issued by a county sheriff in Idaho

If you do not have an acceptable ID, you can ask to sign a Personal Identification Affidavit. You must swear to your identity under penalty of perjury. The poll worker will then give you a regular ballot. Idaho does not use provisional ballots.

Are special accommodations available in Idaho?

Idaho offers a variety of accommodations for voters with disabilities or illnesses.

If voting in person, you can use an accessible voter assistance terminal. There is one available at every polling place in the state.

With this terminal, visually impaired voters can use headphones to listen to an audio ballot and vote using a touchscreen or a braille keypad. The terminal also has a zoom feature for those with visual impairments.

Voters can also ask a poll worker for help. If you have difficulty walking or standing and would like to vote from your car, you can request curbside assistance by calling your county clerk in advance. You may also ask someone to deliver the ballot to your home.

Voters with special needs often find absentee or early voting easier. They can request an absentee ballot in advance and then mail it from home before election day.

What if I see someone engaging in illegal activity at the polls?

Federal law protects voters from intimidation and harassment. This includes questioning or challenging people at the polling place, photographing voters, or videotaping them.

Federal law also identifies fraudulent election activities that can damage an election's integrity. These include buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes.

Report suspicious or illegal activity to the poll workers at your polling station. You can also make a complaint to the District of Idaho Civil Chief at (208) 334-9120 or the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington, D.C., by phone at 1 (800) 253-3931 or (202) 307-2767.

You can also report voting law violations to the U.S. Department of Justice.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

If you feel someone has violated your voting rights or the rights of another, contact an Idaho lawyer with experience in voting law. Meeting with a lawyer can help you protect your rights. An attorney can also help if you face barriers when registering to vote.