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Free public service for Idaho votersNo candidate endorsementsGuide sources checked September 30, 2026General election November 3, 2026

Official voter resources

Make your Idaho voting plan

Use Idaho's official voter services to register, find early or in-person absentee voting, request an absentee ballot, confirm identification requirements, and locate your Election Day polling place. County start dates and voting locations can vary.

First steps

Start with these three actions

Step 1

Register or update your record

Pre-register by October 23 at 5 p.m. local time. Idaho also offers same-day registration at an early voting site or assigned Election Day polling place. Online registration requires a current Idaho driver license or free identification card.

Step 2

Plan early voting or Election Day

The statewide early or in-person absentee period runs October 13 through October 30, but county start dates and methods vary. Some counties offer only in-person absentee voting. On November 3, polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, and anyone in line by 8 p.m. may vote.

Step 3

Request and return an absentee ballot

Any registered Idaho voter may request an absentee ballot. The county clerk must receive the application by October 23 at 5 p.m. and the voted ballot by November 3 at 8 p.m. Postmarks do not replace the receipt deadline.

October 23 at 5 p.m.pre-registration deadline
October 13statewide early voting window begins
October 23 at 5 p.m.absentee request deadline
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Election Day poll hours
Dated checklist

Election timeline

  1. Statewide early voting window begins

    The statewide window for early or in-person absentee voting begins. County start dates and methods vary, so confirm local locations and hours with the county clerk.

  2. Pre-registration and absentee application deadline

    The pre-registration deadline and the deadline for the county clerk to receive an absentee ballot application are both 5 p.m. Same-day registration remains available during early voting and at the assigned Election Day polling place.

  3. Early or in-person absentee voting ends

    The statewide early or in-person absentee voting period ends at 5 p.m. Check the county clerk's schedule because starting dates, sites, and methods can differ.

  4. Emergency absentee application deadline

    A qualified voter whose hospitalization began after October 23 at 5 p.m. and prevents in-person voting may apply for an emergency absentee ballot through this deadline.

  5. General Election Day and absentee receipt deadline

    Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. may vote. The county clerk must receive a completed absentee ballot by 8 p.m.; a postmark is not enough.

Check the current rule: To register, a voter must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 18 years old, have lived in Idaho for at least 30 days, and have completed any felony sentence. A registered voter may show an Idaho driver license or identification card, U.S. passport or other federal photo identification, tribal identification, or an Idaho county sheriff concealed weapons license. A registered voter without accepted identification may sign a Personal Identification Affidavit. A same-day registrant needs photo identification and proof of residence.
On the ballot

4 statewide questions

Idaho's official initiatives and amendments page identifies two proposed constitutional amendments, one qualified initiative, and one non-binding state gun advisory for the November 3 ballot. Read the official materials before voting.

  • HJR 4 proposed constitutional amendmentWould reserve to the Legislature the authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, and other psychoactive substances.
  • HJR 6 proposed constitutional amendmentWould make English the official language of Idaho, subject to the stated federal-law exception.
  • Proposition One: Reproductive Freedom & Privacy ActQualified initiative. Official short ballot title: Measure creating right to abortion before fetus viability, and post-viability to protect health; right to privacy; healthcare provider liability protections. If approved, it takes effect January 1, 2027.
  • HB 932 non-binding state gun advisoryOfficial prompt: Which of the following guns should be designated as the state gun of Idaho? Please choose only one answer. Options: Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30); Winchester Model 1873 "Gun that Won the West" (.44-40); 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver "Peacemaker" (.45 Colt); M1 Garand rifle (.30-06); Colt M1911.45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP); Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06). The advisory is non-binding and any designation requires future legislative action.
View official ballot-measure information
Judicial retention

No statewide judicial contest

The official 2026 General candidate search shows no statewide judicial contest. Greg Woodard and Jeffrey Street, Jr. are approved nonpartisan candidates for District Judge, District 4, Ada A. That contest is district-only and is excluded from this statewide guide.

Check the official candidate search
Official instructions

Use VoteIdaho for your exact ballot and polling place

VoteIdaho provides registration, polling-place, absentee, county clerk, and election information. Use your official voter record and county sample ballot to confirm the contests and ballot order that apply to your address.

Open Idaho's official general-election guide
Official starting points

Official voter links

2026 election calendarOfficial calendar PDF with statewide election dates and deadlines.Election calendarOfficial calendar page for Idaho election deadlines.Voter registrationOfficial eligibility, pre-registration, online registration, and same-day registration guidance.Guide to vote in personOfficial early voting, Election Day, polling-place, and voter identification guidance.Casting your ballotOfficial absentee request, return, emergency absentee, and ballot receipt guidance.Initiatives and amendmentsOfficial information for the four statewide questions.

Dates checked September 30, 2026. Confirm them at the linked official source.