COVID-19 & Voting in Idaho

To ensure the 2020 Elections can proceed safely during this pandemic, without diminishing your fundamental right to vote, the ACLU of Idaho has created a one-pager with important dates and FAQ’s regarding the November 3rd, 2020 Election.

• Contact your county clerk right away and ask about your options.
• You can vote from the curbside at your polling place.
• If you are hospitalized, you can apply for an emergency absentee ballot. You have to submit a signed application to the county clerk.

View contact information for Idaho county clerks

To register to vote in Idaho, you must...

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

• You may mail in or deliver your completed registration form to your county clerk in person
• October 9, 2020 – Voter Pre-registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election. Deadline is postmarked by this date for mailed paper applications, 5 p.m. for paper applications handed in to the county clerk’s office, or until midnight for online applications.
• If you’re voting for the first time whether paper form or online you'll need an Idaho driver’s license, or a paper form to use the last four digits of your social security number.
• If sending your registration form by mail, your county elections office will mail you a notification card letting you know that your registration was received.
• October 19, 2020 – Early voting begins. You can register in person during early voting or on election day.
• The Online Voter Registration system (OVR) is now offline until November 4, 2020 due to the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2020. You may still register to vote in-person during your county’s Early Voting period, and on Election Day (November 3).

find your County Clerk's office.

If you are a first-time voter in Idaho, a copy of current and valid photo identification OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government document that shows your name and address should be submitted.

You may use the last four (4) digits of your social security number OR the following forms of photo I.D. are accepted.

• a tribal identification card
• a U.S. passport
• a current student I.D. card

You can check your registration status on the Idaho Votes website.

Check your registration status

Yes. You can still register up until and on Election Day. Please be mindful that it may take some time to process your registration. We encourage voters to register before Election Day if at all possible.

You can request an absentee ballot on the Idaho Votes website. The deadline to request an absentee ballot has passed.

You can find your County Clerk's office on the Idaho Votes website.

Find your local County Clerk's office

You can check the status of your absentee ballot on the Idaho Votes website (note: it may take 10-14 days from receipt to process and return your absentee ballot to you by mail).

Check your absentee ballot status

For the Nov. 3 General Election, poll locations will be open.

View a list of Idaho Polling Locations by County

Party registration requirements have no effect on the general election in November 2020. All voters in the general election in November receive the same ballot for their location.

Read more about political party affiliation and Primary elections in Idaho

Contact the ACLU of Idaho Voting Rights Hotline if you experience barriers to voting

Scheduled Elections:

• Federal (U.S. Congress) and In District (Idaho Legislature) elected officials.
• Cemetery District
• Cities
• Fire Protection Districts
• Recreation Districts
• School Board and Trustee

If ordered, the following election items will also appear on your ballot:

• Taxing District Bond and/or Levy elections
• Special Questions

View a list of Idaho Polling Locations by county