Idaho General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:10 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:31 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Idaho offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Idaho by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Idaho allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Idaho offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- You can vote in person before Election Day in this election. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: request your absentee ballot online by Oct 23.
- Visit the Idaho website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Idaho's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Oct 23.
- Your by mail registration form must be received by Oct 23.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Idaho’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Idaho Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Idaho's site.
Can I vote in-person before Election Day?
- Yes, in-person voting before Election Day is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the absentee or early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting locations may be less crowded before Election Day, as well.
- Learn more about early and in-person absentee voting in Idaho.
- Early and in-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Idaho’s site to find where to vote in person before Election Day.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Idaho.
Acceptable forms include any one of the following:
- Idaho driver's license or Idaho photo ID card
- US passport or federal photo ID card
- tribal photo ID
- license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff in Idaho
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID and registered to vote before Election Day, you will be given the option of signing the Personal Identification Affidavit in order to cast a ballot.
Can I register to vote online?
- Idaho offers online voter registration.
- You need a current Idaho ID to use Idaho's online voter registration system. The address on your ID must match your current residence. If you don’t have an Idaho DMV-issued ID with your current address, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person with additional proof of residence documentation.
- You can find a list of approved proof of residence documents and more information at VoteIdaho.gov.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Idaho Secretary of State.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Idaho offers in person voting before Election Day, which can be called early voting or in-person absentee voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on or before Election Day, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote before Election Day?
- In Idaho, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote before Election Day?
- Early and in-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Idaho's site to find where to vote before Election Day.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Idaho.
Acceptable forms include any one of the following:
- Idaho driver's license or Idaho photo ID card
- US passport or federal photo ID card
- tribal photo ID
- license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff in Idaho
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID and registered to vote before Election Day, you will be given the option of signing the Personal Identification Affidavit in order to cast a ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Idaho voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Idaho, you must provide your current Idaho driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. These serve as a form of proof of identity.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, contact your county elections office to complete your voter registration.
You must also provide a copy of proof of residence with your voter registration application. Your proof of residency document must include the current name and address you use to register to vote. You can find a full list of approved proof of residence documents and more information at VoteIdaho.gov.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You may be required to register with a party to participate in Idaho partisan primary elections. Some parties allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their party’s primary. You may also declare your party affiliation at the polls on primary election day.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the Idaho Secretary of State website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the Idaho Secretary of State.
How do I vote by mail?
In Idaho, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Request your absentee ballot online by Oct 23.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register at your voting location on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Idaho Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the Idaho Secretary of State.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 13 - Oct 30
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 23
- By mail (received by) : Oct 23
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 23
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 close of polls
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 close of polls
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Idaho.
Acceptable forms include any one of the following:
- Idaho driver's license or Idaho photo ID card
- US passport or federal photo ID card
- tribal photo ID
- license to carry a concealed weapon issued by a county sheriff in Idaho
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID and registered to vote before Election Day, you will be given the option of signing the Personal Identification Affidavit in order to cast a ballot.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Idaho Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Idaho you must:
- be a United States citizen
- have resided in Idaho and in the county for 30 days prior to the day of election
- be at least 18 years old
- not have been convicted of a felony, and without having been restored to the rights of citizenship, or confined in prison on conviction of a criminal offense
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the Idaho Secretary of State.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Idaho. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
Watch this video about military and overseas voting from the Idaho Secretary of State.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Idaho's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Idaho, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Idaho. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.