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Voting & Elections Toolkits

This guild is created by GODORT with full credit going to Kian Flynn and her associates

Voter Registration in Idaho

Eligibility

To register to vote in Idaho you must:

  • be a U.S. Citizen
  • have resided in Idaho and in the county for thirty (30) days prior to the day of election, and
  • be at least 18 years old.  

You cannot register to vote in Idaho if: • you have been convicted of a felony and have not had your civil rights restored. Persons convicted of a felony in Idaho have their rights automatically restored upon completion of sentencing including probation or parole

 

Deadline

Online registration

To use the online voter registration system you must have an Idaho Driver's License or Identification Card.

Online registration form : https://apps.idahovotes.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration

Mail-in registration

Printable forms : https://idahovotes.gov/media/voter_registration.pdf​

Refer to the box below for information about ID requirements.

Choosing a political party   

You may choose a political party affiliation when you register, but it is not required.                 

Updating registration      

Cancelling registration

 

ID Requirements for Idaho Voters

ID Requirements for Registration

Online Registration

For online voter registration, an Idaho Driver's License or Identification card is required.

Mail or In-person Registration

You must provide one of the following to verify residence:

  • a copy of a current and valid photo identification, OR
  • the last four digits of your Social Security number
  • a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address

If you cannot meet any of the above requirements, you may sign an affidavit and cast a provisional ballot subject to verification of your eligibility to vote.

ID Requirements for Voting

 

Where to get an ID

Locations:  https://itd.idaho.gov//itddmv/

Obtaining a Driver’s License

Where do I get a Driver’s License or Identification Card?
Idaho driver’s licenses, instruction permits, or identification (ID) cards are issued through the county sheriff’s offices. You may apply at a sheriff’s office that provides driver licensing services. Not all county DMV locations offer Driver License/ID Card services. Use the searchable table above to identify locations with Driver License/ID Card services and their specific hours for testing.

Casting a Ballot in Idaho

Important Dates

Absentee voting

Opening/closing dates

  • Absentee ballots are provided by the municipal clerk beginning 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, or 19 days before a referendum
  • Absentee ballots for the November 6 general election will be available on October 5, 2018 and will not be issued after November 5, 2018.
  • Absentee ballots for the November 6 general election are due to the Town Clerk “(1) by the close of the polls if it is mailed or if it is returned by a member of the immediate family of the applicant in person or by the qualified designee of an ill or physically disabled ballot applicant in person, or (2) by the day before the election if it is returned in person by the applicant.”

Military voters and voters who reside outside the U.S.

  • “Blank ballots may be sent out to certain military persons beginning 90 days before a regular election and to Connecticut electors temporarily residing outside the U.S. and all military persons beginning approximately 45 days before a regular election, approximately 30 days before a primary and as soon as a complete list of candidates and questions is available before a special election.”
  • Overseas ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by the close of the polls on election day in order to be counted.

Who is eligible to use an absentee ballot?

In Idaho, any qualified elector may request an absentee ballot.

Application for Absentee Ballot: https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/Clerk/Forms/2018_Absentee%20Request%20Form_Portrait_fillable.pdf​

Polling places and hours

  • Use the Polling Place Locator to find your polling place: https://gettothepolls.com/
  • For a general election or primary, polls in Idaho are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Check with the County Clerk regarding voting hours for referenda.
  • Time off to vote: Idaho does not require employers to give employees time off to vote.

Rides to the polls

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:

  • Lyft (www.lyft.com) provides free or discounted rides in some underserved communities
  • Political parties sometimes arrange rides for voters. Contact the local office:
    • Republican Party: 
    • Democratic Party: 

Help for disabled voters

Accessibility information for disabled Idaho voters--https://idahovotes.gov/accessibility/

 

Ballots

 

Elections

Primaries vs. general elections

  • Primary elections are conducted to select each party’s candidates in the general election.
  • In Idaho, a voter may choose a party ballot in order to vote in that party’s primary. However, if you choose a Republican ballot, state law allows for the party affiliation on your registration to be changed.
  • In a general election, voters are not required to have a party affiliation.

Jurisdiction

Offices/Measures That May Appear on the Ballot
   

Who are the candidates, and what else is on the ballot?

Important Dates

 

Who conducts elections?

Voter Bill of Rights

 

Where to go with complaints about candidates or how elections are conducted

 

Campaign finance

 

How to contact your elected officials:

 

General Resources on Voting and Elections

General Resources on Voting and Elections

Hotlines

1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)

1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)

Voter Registration & Election Day Resources

Find useful voter information including:

  • Local Election Office and Contact Information
  • Address, Telephone and Email for Local Election Offices
  • Upcoming Federal Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Upcoming State Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Identification Requirements
  • Voter Materials Transmission Options
  • State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered? Where’s my Ballot?

Population-Specific information and Resources

Voting Rights: Laws, Cases, Policy

Voter Engagement

Voter Education

Campaign Finance/Funding Information

Primary Sources, Lesson Plans & Exhibits

Disclaimer

Librarians from the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), a Round Table of the American Library Association (ALA), created these reference guides. These guides are intended for informational purposes only and are not in any way intended to be legal advice.

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