Registration Deadlines and Election Dates

Voter Registration Deadline: Postmarked by mail or completed online 24 days before Election Day.

Eligible voters can also register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time during the early voting period and on Election Day.

Official Election Websites

• More election information at www.voteidaho.gov

• Online voter registration is available at https://elections.sos.idaho.gov/ElectionLink/ElectionLink/ApplicationInstructions.aspx

• PDF voter registration form is available at: https://sos.idaho.gov/elections/forms/voter_registration.pdf.

Register at School or Home

Students have a choice about where to register to vote.

Students attending college may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered or register at their permanent or home address.

Students attending college may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered or register at their permanent or home address. 

You many only be registered and vote in one location.se you want to participate in an election in the second location. Generally, voter registration is based on where you identify as your current address.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Register?

Idaho’s online voter registration portal requires your driver’s license or state ID number. Idaho’s paper voter registration form asks for your Idaho driver’s license or ID number, or if you don’t have one, the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.

To register on Election Day or during early voting, bring a document with your current residential address and photo identification when you go to your polling place. Students of a post-secondary education institution may use student photo identification accompanied by a current student fee statement that lists the student’s current address. Your proof of residence must be dated at least 30 days prior to Election Day.

What Type of ID Do I Need to Vote?

All voters are required to present a photo identification before voting at the polls or during early voting, or sign a Personal Identification Affidavit. Acceptable identification includes:

• An Idaho driver’s license or identification card issued by the Idaho transportation department

• A U.S. passport or federal photo identification card

• A tribal photo identification card

• A current student photo identification card issued by an Idaho high school or accredited post-secondary education institution

• An Idaho concealed carry permit

Where Do I Vote?

Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at: https://elections.sos.idaho.gov/ElectionLink/ElectionLink/ViewPollingLocation.aspx

How Can I Vote?

By Mail

• Any registered Idaho voter may vote by mail

• Voters may request an absentee ballot online or download a PDF absentee ballot request form at https://idahovotes.gov/absentee-voter-information/

• Absentee ballot request applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day before Election Day

• Completed mail ballots can be returned in-person at your county cleerk's office or by mail. Completed absentee mail-in ballots must be received by the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Early In-person

You can apply for an absentee ballot and cast it in-person at an early voting site until 5 p.m., the Friday before Election Day. Contact your county clerk's office for information about early voting dates, times, and locations. 

Election Day

• Voting sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Some counties may open their polling places earlier; contact your county clerk for additional information. If you are in line by the closing time, then you have the right to vote.

• For more information about accessible voting options, visit: https://voteidaho.gov/accessibility.

Common Questions/Concerns

Registering to Vote Does Not Affect Your:

Federal Financial Aid

Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA

Status as a Dependent on Your Parents’ Taxes

Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from claiming you as a dependent on their taxes

Tuition Status

Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community

Will registering to vote in Idaho affect my driver’s license or car registration?

As a full–time student in Idaho, you may have to make changes to your driver’s license or car registration if you are a resident of the state regardless of whether you register to vote in Idaho. For more information, you may wish to contact the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles.