BOISE, ID – Here’s what you need to know this Election Day in Idaho.
This election, statewide offices like the governor, congressional seats in the U.S. House and Senate, and state legislative seats are on ballots. So are local races like for county commissioners, and even for judges.
What is a primary election? Why does it matter?
Today, voters can cast votes to nominate candidates to win their political party’s bid to advance to the November general election, when winners are ultimately decided. In Idaho — where Republicans have long controlled statewide offices and the state Legislature — primary elections often decide the winners of major elections.
But primaries often draw less turnout than elections in November, which are called general elections. In years where the president isn’t being elected, fewer voters tend to turn out.
So, what primaries can I vote in?
Idaho law allows political parties to restrict voters who aren’t affiliated with their party from voting in primary elections. The Republican Party only allows registered Republicans to vote.
If you are already registered to vote but are not a registered Republican, you cannot vote in today’s Republican primary election. But if you’re a new voter who is just registering to vote today at the polls for the first time, you can register as a Republican and vote in the GOP primary, Idaho Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson Joe Parris told the Idaho Capital Sun.
How do I register to vote on Election Day?
To register to vote, you need a current photo ID and a document proving you live in Idaho. Find a list of documents that meet these requirements, and more information, online on VoteIdaho.gov, a website run by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
More than 1 million Idahoans are registered voters. Need to see if you’re a registered voter? Look it up online on VoteIdaho.gov.
You need to update your voter registration when you move, change your name, or have not voted in the past four years.
How do I find my polling location?
To find your polling location, type your address into this tool on VoteIdaho.gov.
Who’s on my ballot?
To find out which races and candidates are on your ballot, plug your information into this tool on VoteIdaho.gov. That tool will show you sample ballots.
2026 Voter Guide
The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.
When are absentee ballots due?
Absentee ballots are due when polls close, at 8 p.m. local time. That means that election officials must have received them by then, not just that the ballots are dropped in the mail by 8 p.m. local time.
If you still need to turn in an absentee ballot, the best way to ensure it gets counted is to drop it off at a ballot drop box or hand deliver it to your county clerk’s office.
How do I find information about candidates?
The Idaho Capital Sun’s voter guide has information on all statewide candidates who are up for election in the primary, and a handful of contested legislative races.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.
