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YOUR RIGHTS AS AN IDAHO VOTER
One of the ways to ensure our democracy 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, November 5, 2024, is the Idaho General Election
What are the General Elections?
Successful party candidates from the primary election and nominated at their party’s convention appear on the ballot as well as statewide constitutional amendments, initiatives, referendums, and some taxing district elections. In a general election, voters choose their preferred candidate from among those listed on the ballot.
Party Affiliation
Voters will receive the same ballot based on their Legislative District, regardless of party affiliation.
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 lost your right to vote due to a felony conviction, your rights are automatically restored once you complete 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 I.D.
- 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:
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October 11, 2024 pre-registration deadline for the November General Election.
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Online registration forms must be submitted by midnight on October 11.
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Voter registration forms sent via mail must be postmarked for October 11.
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Voter registration forms delivered in person must be received by 5:00 p.m. at your county clerk’s office on October 11.
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Early voting typically begins two weeks before an upcoming election. Check with your county elections office for dates and times. Early voting for the November 5 election is from October 21-November 1. You can register in person during the early voting period or on Election Day.
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You may register to vote on Election Day November 5, 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. You may still register to vote in person during the early voting period, and on Election Day (November 5).
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 issued by the Idaho Department of Transportation.
- A valid Idaho identification card issued by the Idaho Department of Transportation.
- Proof of Insurance
- Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
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Property tax assessment, bill
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Utility bill (no cell bills)
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Bank/credit card statement
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Paystubs/paycheck
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Intake document to a care facility
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Enrollment letter from anIdaho high school or university
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Letter form a social service agency
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 October 25, 2024.
- Complete the application form and personally sign it.
- Submit the form early enough so that the County Clerk gets it at least eleven days before Election Day.
Receiving Absentee Ballot
- You can check for your absentee ballot status on your voter record.
- Once your ballot arrives, you will receive 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 — November 5, 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 October 21, 2024.
In person early voting at your polling place ends at 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 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's General Elections are on November 5, 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 or calling:
Call: 1-800-542-4737 (you will be directed to a voicemail where you can leave your information and complaint).
Online: VOTING RIGHTS HOTLINE FORM