Election Information
Idaho has two possible dates for elections each year in May and November. Elections are held for everything from local districts up to presidential elections. Check out the election calendar for upcoming elections. Your specific local district(s) may not have an election if there are no contested races or measures up for election.
There are three different types of elections Idahoans can participate in — general, primary, and consolidated or district elections. Elections recur on a cycle.
Polls are open on Election Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Upcoming Election
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is the Idaho General Election
Deadline to register online: October 11, 2024
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: October 25, 2024
What’s on the ballot?
The Idaho General Election includes races for U.S. President, U.S. Congress, Idaho State Legislator, and local taxing districts & measures.
View the list of candidates for U.S. Congress and Idaho State Legislator.
General Elections
General Elections are held in even-numbered years on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November and are open to all registered voters regardless of party affiliation.
Successful party candidates from the Primary Election appear on the ballot along with statewide constitutional amendments, initiatives, referendums, and some taxing district elections.
Primary Elections
Party Primary Elections to select party candidates for federal, state, and county offices are held in even-numbered years on the third Tuesday in May. Those candidates who receive the most votes during the primary election go on to run in the general election.
Your party choice can affect which primary election races you are eligible to vote in.
In Idaho, each political party chooses which voters may participate in the primary election for that party. Your party choice can affect which primary election races you are eligible to vote on. Learn more about political party affiliation in Idaho.
Any voter may choose to vote on a non-partisan ballot, which includes ballot measure questions and judicial positions.
