A citizen may register with their County Clerk up until 24 days prior to any election. You may register in person or by mail if the registration form is postmarked 24 days before the election. For the 2020 Presidential Preference Primary on March 10 this date is February 14, for the General Primary on May 19 this date is April 24, and for the General Election this date is October 9.

Idaho also allows for election day registration. To register on Election Day, bring a document with a valid address in your precinct and photo identification when you go to your polling place. Students of a post-secondary education institution may use student photo identification and a fee statement with an address in the precinct from their school to register on Election Day. 

Online registration

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

Online registration form

Mail-in registration

Printable forms (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

Re-registration with their County Clerk is required if an elector changes their address. Re-registration is required if an elector changes their name by marriage or for another reason. If an elector has not voted in a Primary or General Election in the last four years re-registration is also required to be listed as a qualified elector in Idaho.     

ID Requirements for Voting

A registered voter must either present a photo ID or sign a Personal Identification Affidavit.

Forms of photo identification may be any one of the following:

• An Idaho driver’s license or Idaho photo identification card.
• A U.S. passport or Federal photo identification card.
• A tribal photo identification card.
• A current student photo ID, issued by an Idaho high school or post secondary education institution.
• A license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff in Idaho.

If a voter does not have an Idaho Driver’s License, they can use an Idaho photo identification card issued by the Department of Transportation to vote.

Where to get an ID

Locations

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.

Application for an absentee ballot: (you must be registered to vote in Idaho to request an absentee ballot)

• For the May 19 election, which is being held by absentee ballot only, go to https://idahovotes.gov to request your absentee ballot or
• Can be requested from Clerk’s office or
• Fill this PDF Absentee Request Form (The form is fillable on your computer using Acrobat)
• Or by submitting a written request with the required information (name of elector, residence address in Idaho and mailing address to which such registration or ballot is to be forwarded) signed by the applicant

If you wish to have an absentee ballot mailed to you, the request must be received by the county clerk’s office by the 11th day prior to the election (February 28 for the March 10, 2020 Presidential Preference Primary, May 8, 2020 for the May 19 General Primary, and October 23, 2020 for the November 3 General Election). You can still cast an absentee ballot in person at the absent elector’s polling place (usually the county clerk’s office) up until 5 p.m. the Friday before the election (March 6, 2020 for the March 10, 2020 Presidential Preference Primary, May 15, 2020 for the May 19, 2020 General Primary,  and October 30, 2020 for the November 3, 2020 General election).

The absentee ballot request form covers all 4 called elections each year if you wish to vote absentee (or early) in all elections.

Who is eligible to use an absentee ballot?

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

Application for Absentee Ballot (PDF)

Polling places and hours

• Use the Polling Place Locator, or use the Idaho locator to find your polling place
• 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 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 voters with disabilities

Accessibility information for Idaho voters with disabilities

Ballots for elections are created and managed by the County Clerk of each county. Most maintain a website that has election information that may include sample ballots. List of County Clerks and the County website

Candidates on the March Presidential Primary ballot 

Presidential primary information

Other information may be available from the County Clerk of each county

Elections in Idaho are conducted by the County Clerk. Local information and sample ballots

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

Though no official information could be found, since elections are governed by the Idaho Secretary of State, the assumption would be that complaints should be registered with the Elections and Administration division of that office. 

ELECTIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

700 W. Jefferson St., Room E205
Boise, ID 83702

P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080

(208) 334-2852 (elections)

elections@sos.idaho.gov

HOURS:
Monday — Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed daily — 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Campaign finance portal

Idaho campaign finance portal

Contact elected officials