A citizen may register with their County Clerk up until 25 days prior to any election. You may register in person or by mail if the registration form is postmarked 25 days before the election. For the 2024 General Primary on May 21 this date is April 26 and for the General Election November 5 this date is October 11.

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.     

You may update your voter registration online or in person at your County Clerk's office

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. (NOTE: A Student ID card from an Idaho educational institution is considered valid identification to vote through December 31, 2023.)
• 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

Find your local Department of Motor Vehicles office and hours of operation on the Driver's License/ID Cards tab here: 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 Department of Transportation. 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)

• Go to Request an absentee ballot to request a ballot online or get a pdf form or
• Forms can be requested from Clerk’s office or
• 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 (May 10, 2024 for the May 21 General Primary, and October 25, 2024 for the November 5 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 (May 17,2024 for the May 21,2024 General Primary, and November 1, 2024 for the November 5, 2024 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.

IDAHO MILITARY AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS - UOCAVA

UOCAVA voters are Idahoans who are:

1. Active members of the U.S. military who are currently absent from their Idaho residence due to deployment; or
2. Spouses or dependents of #1 who, due to the deployment of #1, are absent from their Idaho residence; or
3. Currently living outside the United States.

Request your absentee ballot from the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

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

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

March 15, 2024--Last Day to Change Political Party Affiliation or Become Unaffiliated Before the Primary Election.

April 26, 2024--Preregistration Deadline for the Primary Election

May 6, 2024--Early Voting for the Primary Election Begins.

May 10, 2024--Absentee Ballot Application Deadline.

May 16-20, 2024--Registered Electors May Submit Emergency Situation Absentee Ballot Application.

May 21, 2024--PRIMARY ELECTION DAY. 

August 2, 2024--Preregistration Deadline for the August Election.

August 12, 2024--Early Voting for the August Election Begins.

August 16, 2024--Absentee Ballot Application Deadline.

August 23, 2024--Early Voting for the August Election Ends.

August 27, 2024--AUGUST ELECTION DAY.

October 11, 2024--Preregistration Deadline for the General Election.

October 21, 2024--Early Voting for the General Election Begins.

October 25, 2024--Absentee Ballot Application Deadline.

October 31-November 4, 2024--Registered Electors May Submit Emergency Situation Absentee Ballot Application.

November 1, 2024--Early Voting for the General Election Ends. 

November 1, 2024--In-Person Absentee Application Deadline.

November 5, 2024--GENERAL ELECTION DAY.

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