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YOUR RIGHTS AS AN IDAHO VOTER
One of the ways our democracy is ensured is through voting. Voting rights have been contentious issue throughout America’s history, and the ACLU of Idaho wants you to be able to continue to exercise your rights at the ballot box.
Transgender Voting Rights in Idaho
Voting with a Criminal Conviction
Voting while Experiencing Homelessness
Upcoming Elections:
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 is the Idaho Primary Election
What are the Primary Elections?
In a primary election, voters choose their preferred candidate from among those running within their own party. The candidate who receives the most votes in the primary election becomes the official nominee of their party and advances to compete in the general election against candidates from other parties. Primary elections play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape and providing citizens with the opportunity to influence the selection of candidates who will ultimately appear on the ballot.
In Idaho, Republicans have a closed primary elections. Meaning only registered Republicans can vote on thier ballot in May. All other listed political parties have open ballots.
Party Affiliation
If you intend to vote in the Republican primary and are currently registered as a member of the Democratic, Constitution or Libertarian parties, you need to change your party affiliation by March 15, 2024.
Unaffiliated voters can affiliate with a party on or before the primary Election Day.
If you would like to change your affiliation you must submit a form to your county clerk.
Voter Requirements:
To be eligible to vote in Idaho you must meet the following requirements:
- Be U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of Idaho and in the county for 30 days prior to Election Day
- At least 18 years old before or on Election Day
- Have no felony convictions on your criminal record*
*In Idaho, if you have lost your right to vote due to a felony conviction, your rights are automatically restored once you have completed all sentencing requirements, including probation and parole. See Idaho Code Section 18-310(2) and (4).
Identification Requirements
Idaho law requests that you show approved picture identification (I.D) on Election Day before voting or you can sign a Personal Identification Affidavit if you are not also registering to vote on Election Day. If you choose to use photo identification. The picture on the I.D. must match your presentation, and the name on the I.D. must match the name on the voter registration list.
If you identify as transgender and the photo on your I.D. does not match your presentation, you may still sign the Personal Identification Affidavit to confirm your identity.
On the Affidavit, you will have to swear to your identity under penalty of perjury. Putting incorrect information on the affidavit is a felony.
View more Transgender Voting Rights information.
Accepted Forms of ID
- Idaho Driver’s License or an identification card issued by the Idaho Department of Transportation
- U.S. passport or Federal Identification card
- A tribal photo identification card
- A license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff in Idaho
Voter Registration:
- April 26, 2024 is the pre-registration deadline for the Primary May Elections.
- Online registration forms must be submitted by midnight on April 26.
- Voter registration forms sent via mail must be postmarked for April 26.
- Voter registration forms delivered in person must be received by 5:00 p.m. at your county clerk’s office on April 26.
- Early voting begins on May 6, 2024. You can register in person during the early voting period or on Election Day.
- You may register to vote on Election Day May 21, 2024.
IMPORTANT: If you are a first-time voter in Idaho, you will need to submit a copy of current and valid photo identification (such as an Idaho driver’s license or other accepted photo identification) and proof of residency. If you do not have photo identification you may fill out the Personal Identification Affidavit form as proof of identity. Note: you may not use the Personal Identification Affidavit in place of accepted photo identification if you are registering in person at your polling place on Election Day.
Online Voter Registration
The Online Voter Registration system (OVR) for the 2024 Elections will be available beginning on Febraury. You may still register to vote in person during the early voting period, and on Election Day (May 21).
Register by Mail
- Complete the voter registration form and mail it to your local county clerk’s office. A list of county clerk addresses is located on the form.
- Provide proof of residency that contains a valid address which matches the address used on your voter registration application.
- Provide a copy of your photo I.D. card. You cannot sign the Personal Identification Affidavit in lieu of photo I.D. if you are registering in person on Election Day.
- Your county elections office will mail you a notification card letting you know that your registration was received.
Register in Person at Your Polling Place on Election Day:
- Complete the voter registration form and submit it at your polling place.
- Provide proof of residency that contains a valid address which matches the address used on your voter registration form.
- Provide a photo I.D. card. Note: you cannot sign the Personal Identification Affidavit in place of photo I.D. if you are registering in person on Election Day.
Documents Accepted to Prove Residency:
- A valid Idaho driver’s license was issued through the Idaho Department of Transportation.
- A valid Idaho identification card was issued through the Idaho Department of Transportation.
- Any document which contains a valid address in the county you reside in, together with a photo identification card.
Early Voting
Early voting is a process that allows you to vote prior to the election if you know you will not be able to cast your ballot on Election Day. You can vote early by using the Absentee Ballot Process or going to an Early Voting location in your county.
Absentee Ballot Process
- Submit an application online OR download the absentee ballot application OR apply to receive an absentee ballot in the mail by submitting a written request to your County Clerk to request an absentee ballot. If you are currently incarcerated in jail, you may request an absentee ballot from the jail administrators. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is May 10, 2024.
- Complete the application form and personally sign it.
- Submit the form early enough so that the County Clerk gets it at least six days before Election Day.
Recieving Absentee Ballot
- You can check for your absentee ballot status on your voter record.
- Once ballot arrives, you will recieve instructions on how to fill out the ballot and correctly submit your ballot.
- For additional information about absentee ballot click here.
To be a successful voter, your official ballot (NOT the absentee ballot application) must be received by 8:00 pm on Election Day—May 21, 2024.
Early Voting- In person
For in-person early voting, contact your county clerk for dates, times, and location for polling locations in your county. Early voting in person begins May 6, 2024.
In person early voting at your polling place ends at 5:00 p.m. on May 17, 2024.
View a list of county clerks in Idaho
Election Day
On Election Day polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise posted.
This year Primary Elections are on May 21, 2024.
Voting Locations
VIEW A LIST OF IDAHO POLLING LOCATIONS BY COUNTY
There are several ways to find out where to vote on Election Day:
If you register to vote at least 25 days before Election Day, you should receive a voter registration card in the mail that tells you where your polling place is, depending on what county you live in.
You can also contact your County Clerk to find your polling place.
For more information about Idaho elections, the Vote Idaho website.
Are you having issues or experiencing barriers exercising your right to vote?
Contact the ACLU of Idaho Voting Rights Hotline online:
Online: VOTING RIGHTS HOTLINE FORM