How to vote in Idaho
On this page
- Voter registration deadline (online): 25 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Postmarked by 25 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): 11 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 11 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 4 days before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
Idaho voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 25 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 25 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Idaho registration using the Idaho voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Idaho you must:
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- be a citizen of the United States
- have resided in Idaho and in the county for at least 30 days before Election Day
- not be serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony. Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole.
You can register to vote online if you have an Idaho driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
- Visit the Idaho online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 25 days before Election Day.
If you are a first-time voter in Idaho, in addition to your voter registration form, you must include a copy of a current, valid photo ID and a copy of ONE of the following items showing your name and address:
- a current utility bill
- a bank statement
- a government check
- a paycheck
- a government document
Your voter registration will not be complete without this information.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your non-expired Idaho driver's license or state ID card issued by the Department of Transportationwith you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current Idaho address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address. If you are a student you may use a non-expired student photo ID with a current student fee statement that contains your Idaho address.
- Summary: Idaho has Election Day registration. You can register and vote on Election Day.
- Where to go:
Go to your designated voting location. Click here to find out where to vote.
- What to bring:
Bring your non-expired Idaho driver's license or state ID card issued by the Department of Transportationwith you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current Idaho address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address. If you are a student you may use a non-expired student photo ID with a current student fee statement that contains your Idaho address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Voting rights are restored upon completion of prison, parole, and probation.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Idaho absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 11 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 11 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 4 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Idaho voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
- Visit the Idaho absentee ballot website.
- Fill out all of the required information.
- Hit save or submit when you are done.
- The deadline to apply online is 11 days before Election Day.
- Download the Idaho absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 11 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 4 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: Idaho absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if your signature does not match the state records.
- Deadlines to make corrections vary. contact your Local Election Office to find out the deadline in your county.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot if you are hospitalized within 5 days of Election Day.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends 5PM the Monday before Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
Idaho early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 14 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 4 days before Election Day
You must show a non-expired photo ID issued by the State of Idaho or the Federal Government or any ID that shows your current address and photo. You may also vote using a student ID if it contains a photo, is issued by an Idaho school, and is accompanied with a current student fee statement that shows your current address within Idaho. If you don't have ID, you can still vote as long as you sign a personal identification affidavit.
Idaho voter ID guide
You must show a non-expired photo ID issued by the State of Idaho or the Federal Government or any ID that shows your current address and photo. You may also vote using a student ID if it contains a photo, is issued by an Idaho school, and is accompanied with a current student fee statement that shows your current address within Idaho. If you don't have ID, you can still vote as long as you sign a personal identification affidavit.
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
You can register to vote online if you have an Idaho driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
Bring your non-expired Idaho driver's license or state ID card issued by the Department of Transportationwith you. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current Idaho address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address. If you are a student you may use a non-expired student photo ID with a current student fee statement that contains your Idaho address.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Idaho elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Secretary of State P.O. Box 83720 State Capitol Bldg. Boise, ID 83720‐0080