Idaho polls open today at 8 a.m. for a 12-hour voting marathon

The choices Idahoans make in today’s election will help shape government and politics across Idaho and across the country for years. 

All statewide offices in Idaho, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, controller, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction are up for election. 

All 115 seats in the Idaho Legislature are also up for election, although more than half the races are not competitive because Democrats are not fielding candidates. Both of Idaho’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one of Idaho’s seats in the U.S. Senate are also up for election this year. 

Depending on where they live, Idahoans may have county offices such as county commissioner or sheriff, community college trustees or nonpartisan judges on their ballots.

Polls across Idaho will be open for in-person voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., local time, on Tuesday for Election Day.

Here are the most important things to know as Idahoans head to the polls or stay glued to live news coverage and social media for updates.

How to vote in Idaho on Election Day

Idahoans can visit the Idaho Secretary of State’s elections website www.voteidaho.gov to find the location of their polling place, check whether they are registered to vote and find out which congressional and legislative district they live in. Because of the 2021 redistricting process, many Idahoans will have a new polling place or live in a new legislative or congressional district for the first time in 10 years, even though they have not moved. 

Early voting and in-person absentee voting have already ended in Idaho. 

Anyone who has a completed absentee ballot must have their ballot received by their county elections office by the time polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. It is too late to mail absentee ballots back and have them arrive in time to be counted. However, voters can still deliver their absentee ballot to a drop box before 8 p.m. and have their vote counted. In Ada County, there are multiple absentee ballot drop box locations, including the Boise, Meridian, Star, Eagle and Kuna city halls, and at the Ada County Elections Office, 400 N. Benjamin Lane in Boise. 

Eligible voters who are not yet registered to vote may register at their polling place before they cast their ballot on Tuesday. Idahoans who register at the polls will be asked to prove their identity and residence. According to the Idaho Secretary of State’s office, acceptable forms of identification for proving identity and residency include:

• A valid Idaho driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
• Any document showing a valid address in the precinct, together with a photo identification card.
• A current student ID from an Idaho college or post secondary institution, together with a current student fee statement showing a valid address in the precinct. 

How can I learn more about who is running for office in Idaho?

The Idaho Capital Sun has covered many of the debates and statewide candidates and races on the ballot.

Proposed constitutional amendment Senate Joint Resolution 102:
Idaho voters to decide whether Legislature can call itself back into session

Idaho advisory question:
Idaho ballot features nonbinding advisory question about tax cuts, education

The race for Idaho governor:
Ammon Bundy, Stephen Heidt among unconventional field challenging Idaho Gov. Brad Little

Idaho lieutenant governor:
•  Bedke, Pickens Manweiler and ‘Pro-Life’ running to become Idaho’s next lieutenant governor
•  Pickens Manweiler and Bedke spar over abortion rights in Idaho lt. gov. Debate

Idaho attorney general:
In Idaho’s AG race, candidates battle over the philosophy of the office

Idaho treasurer:
In race for Idaho’s treasurer, an accountant returns to challenge the incumbent

Idaho secretary of state:
In Idaho’s secretary of state race, one candidate has support from both sides

U.S. Senate:
Idaho Senate candidates debate federal government’s role in health care, social issues

U.S. House of Representatives, first congressional district:
In one of Idaho’s congressional races, three different philosophies on the ballot

U.S. House of Representatives, second congressional district:
In race against Mike Simpson, challenger Wendy Norman pushes for affordable health care