2024 Idaho General Election
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Make A Plan To Vote!
First, make sure you’re registered to vote! You can register online until October 11, or find more information on our register to vote page.Â
VOTE
Vote in person on Election Day, November 5.
Polling locations are open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
VOTE
Absentee Ballots may be requested until October 25 and must be returned to your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5.
VOTE
Visit an early or in-person absentee voting location from October 21 – November 1.
New Features on VoteIdaho
Preview Your Sample Ballot
For the first time, you can preview the races and questions that will appear on your ballot before you vote.
How to find your sample ballot:
- Check your voter record OR find a polling location
- Scroll down to the “Sample Ballot” section
- Download your sample ballot
Idaho Voting Statistics
Learn more about Idaho’s voting patterns, historical trends, and demographic information with interactive charts, graphs, and maps.
The data and dashboards page features engaging and dynamic data that breaks down Idaho’s political landscape.
Early & In-Person Absentee Voting
County Participation Dates
All Idaho counties offer some form of early or in-person absentee voting. Start dates for early and in-person absentee voting are listed under the county name.
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Proposed Idaho Constitutional Amendment: HJR 5
A Joint Resolution Proposing An Amendment To Section 2, Article VI, Of The Constitution Of The State Of Idaho Relating To Qualifications Of Electors:
“Shall Section 2, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended to provide that individuals who are not citizens of the United States may not be qualified electors in any election held within the state of Idaho?”
Legislative Council’s Statement of Meaning, Purpose, and Result to Be Accomplished
This proposed constitutional amendment provides that only Idaho residents who are citizens of the United States are eligible to vote in elections in the State of Idaho and that noncitizens are not eligible to vote in any election in the State of Idaho. Currently, Section 2, Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Idaho provides: “[e]very male or female citizen of the United States, eighteen years old, who has resided in this state, and in the county where he or she offers to vote for the period provided by law, if registered as provided by law, is a qualified elector.” This provision does not expressly prohibit noncitizens from voting. The proposed amendment adds language to provide that only United States citizens may vote in elections in the State of Idaho.
Statements For The Proposed Amendment
- This constitutional amendment is needed to clarify that United States citizenship is a requirement for eligibility to vote in Idaho elections because the current language does not expressly prohibit noncitizens from voting. The proposed amendment will ensure that individuals who are not citizens of the United States do not vote in any government election in the State of Idaho.
- The amendment is also needed to clarify that the right to vote shall not be granted in the future to individuals who are not citizens of the United States. Noncitizens have been granted the right to vote in some local elections across the United States. Legislation to expand voting to noncitizens has been considered in other states and cities in the United States.
- Allowing noncitizens to vote in Idaho elections could lead to concerns regarding election integrity and allow for foreign influence in Idaho elections. The proposed constitutional amendment will protect the State of Idaho from such issues.
Statements Against The Proposed Amendment
- The proposed constitutional amendment is not needed because United States citizenship is currently required for participation in Idaho elections. Under current law, the Idaho Secretary of State requires citizenship and proof of residency with respect to individuals who register to vote, and it is a felony for an individual to provide false information on an Idaho voter registration form. Additionally, federal statute provides that it is a crime for a noncitizen to vote in any federal election.
- Election fraud involving voting or attempts to vote by noncitizens is not a significant issue in Idaho. Adding additional language to the Idaho Constitution in an effort to solve a problem that is not occurring could inadvertently create new problems or add an additional barrier to registering to vote by new citizens and state residents.
- The proposed amendment undermines local control of local elections. The amendment would foreclose any opportunity in the future for the Idaho Legislature or local governments in Idaho to authorize noncitizens to vote in certain elections that might directly affect their interests.
What Your Vote Will Do
YES
A YES vote would approve the proposed Constitutional Amendment for additional language providing that only United States citizens may vote in elections in the State of Idaho.
NO
A NO vote would make no change to the Idaho Constitution.
Proposition 1: Idaho Open Primaries Act
Measure to:
- replace voter selection of party nominees with a top-four primary;
- require a ranked-choice voting system for general elections.
Full text, funding source statement, and fiscal impact statement of the proposed initiative
This measure proposes two distinct changes to elections for most public offices.
First, this measure would abolish Idaho’s party primaries. Under current law, political parties nominate candidates through primary elections in which party members vote for a candidate to represent the party in the general election. The initiative creates a system where all candidates participate in a top-four primary and voters may vote on all candidates. The top four vote-earners for each office would advance to the general election. Candidates could list any affiliation on the ballot, but would not represent political parties, and need not be associated with the party they name.
Second, the measure would require a ranked-choice voting system for the general election. Under current law, voters may select one candidate for each office, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Under the ranked-choice voting system, voters rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference, but need not rank every candidate. The votes are counted in successive rounds, and the candidate receiving the fewest votes in each round is eliminated. A vote for an eliminated candidate will transfer to the voter’s next-highest-ranked active candidate. The candidate with the most votes in the final round wins.
PRO - Arguments for Proposition One
Provided by Idahoans for Open Primaries
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will bring back open primary elections and give all Idaho voters, including those not affiliated with a political party, the right to vote in every election. Currently, Idaho’s closed primary system blocks more than 270,000 independent voters from participating. That’s not right. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 says that every voter should have the right to participate in every taxpayer-funded election.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will restore the longstanding tradition of open primary elections in Idaho. Idahoans voted in open primaries for 40 years until party officials established closed primaries back in 2011. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 brings us back to a time when you weren’t forced to join a political party to have a say in who is elected to important offices.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will restore the right of military veterans to participate in every Idaho election. Nearly half of Idaho’s veterans are not affiliated with a political party, and these veterans are currently blocked from voting in Idaho’s most important election—the primary. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 says that no one who fought for our country should ever be denied a voice in any election.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will make elected officials answer to voters, not special interests or party insiders. Currently, special interest groups and party elites wield far too much influence. They control the outcome of elections by handpicking the candidates and spending millions on negative advertising. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 will reduce the influence of special interests and give power back to ordinary citizens.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will restore competition to Idaho elections. Currently, the majority of Idaho’s politicians do not face a competitive opponent in the general election. That’s unacceptable, and it leads to unaccountable elected officials. A Yes vote for Proposition 1 will bring back competitive elections. It will give more choice and more voice to every Idaho voter.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will make sure we have better choices in our general elections—up to four candidates, with different viewpoints, backgrounds and ideas. Voters can rank candidates if they choose, and the winner must receive support from a broad coalition of voters and not just a narrow faction. Idahoans have an important choice in this election—a No vote will continue our current dysfunctional system, while a Yes vote will empower every Idaho voter.
Voting YES on Proposition 1 will restore the principles of our nation’s Founding Fathers, who were suspicious of political parties and believed that “We the People” are the source of all political power.
Proposition 1 has the support of a broad coalition of Idahoans—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. Please vote “YES” on Proposition 1.
Rebuttal to Pro Arguments
Proposition 1, contrary to its proponents’ assertions, does not broaden primary election access for unaffiliated voters. Instead, it replaces Idaho’s elections system with an intricate Ranked-Choice Voting system that undermines the democratic process. Even the Idaho Supreme Court stated that “open primary” means something very different than this proposal.
While supporters claim that unaffiliated voters face obstacles to participation, these voters can, in reality, request and cast ballots in any party primary they choose. The unstated objective of Proposition 1 is to allow registered Democrats into Republican primaries, effectively transforming Idaho’s political environment into something more like California’s.
Barely mentioned by proponents, and buried within Proposition 1’s text, is the replacement of Idaho’s election system with a Ranked Choice Voting gimmick. This confusing system, which has been tried and failed in many places, uses computer algorithms to transfer votes between candidates, based on complex contingencies.
What Proposition 1 really creates:
- LESS ELECTION INTEGRITY: Difficult to audit election results.
- LONGER ELECTION SEASON: Extends many elections six months longer, favoring wealthy candidates and those with the most special interest money.
- SLOWER ELECTION RESULTS: Multiple rounds of vote tabulation will require more recounts.
- ELIMINATES “ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE”: The candidate receiving the most votes will not always win.
- HIGHER COSTS: Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane reports that replacing Idaho’s election systems could require $40 million in new taxpayer money.
Don’t fall for this disguised takeover of Idaho’s elections. Vote NO to protect “One Person, One Vote.”
CON - Arguments Against Proposition One
Provided by the Idaho House Republican Caucus
Proposition 1 does not simply open the primaries and seeks to fundamentally change the system by which Idaho has determined election winners since it became a state in 1890.
Ranked-Choice-Voting is not intuitive for voters and would cost around $40 million to implement according to Idaho Secretary of State, Phil McGrane. Under Idaho’s current and historic system, an election for public office is simple. Voters vote for their preferred candidate, the votes are tallied, and the candidate with the most votes wins. Simple.
Ranked-Choice-Voting in Proposition 1 would implement a California-style jungle primary in which Democrats would help choose Republican candidates and vice versa. The top four candidates with the most votes would advance to the general election in a new Ranked-Choice-Voting system. The candidate with the most votes can lose! Don’t let this happen to Idaho. Vote NO on Proposition 1 to protect “one person, one vote”.
Ranked-Choice-Voting involves a more complicated ballot that confuse voters with contingency voting preferences. This would multiply the length of time it takes to vote in every race. Many thousands of voters will not complete the many extra steps involved in Ranked-Choice-Voting. This change will make it harder for people with busy lives to get through longer lines and complete a ballot. Vote NO on Proposition 1 to protect “one person, one vote”.
Ranked-Choice-Voting has been rejected by voters in other states. Alaska adopted this system in 2022 and an initiative is pending to repeal it. Make no mistake, whether it’s moms and dads trying to vote before they must pick up their kids, or workers trying to vote during their lunch break, thousands will leave the lines, give up, and be disenfranchised. Don’t let this happen to Idaho. Vote NO on Proposition 1 to protect “one person, one vote”.
Additional Concerns with Ranked-Choice Voting:
- Less Election Integrity: Will make it more difficult to validate the accuracy of results, straining Idaho’s post-election audit process and risks depriving the true winner.
- Longer Election Season: Will extend most campaigns by at least six months from May until November and increase the time and cost.
- Slower Election Results: Will also take longer to report election results due to multiple rounds of vote tabulation.
More Recounts: Will require much more frequent recounts. - Higher Costs: Will require the replacement of Idaho’s current election systems and will also cost the taxpayer significant dollars to educate voters on a new complicated voting process.
In summary, Ranked-Choice-Voting would impede voters’ ability to simply choose the person that best represents their views in a single primary race. Ranked-Choice-Voting is a complicated, ineffective, and costly idea that would create more problems than it proposes to solve. Vote NO on Proposition 1 to protect “one person, one vote.”
Rebuttal to Con Arguments
Proposition 1 will give all Idaho voters, including independents, the right to vote in every taxpayer-funded election. It will end closed primaries, which–beginning in 2011– forced voters to join a political party just to participate in primary elections.
Proposition 1 protects the integrity of our elections by making sure every vote counts and that voters, not party bosses and special interests, decide who wins.
Some political-party insiders are spreading misinformation about Proposition 1 because they fear they’ll lose power if the initiative passes.
The truth is that Proposition 1 will enact simple reforms. Contrary to false claims about ranked choice voting, the process of ranking candidates is as simple as counting to four. Surveys in Utah and Alaska showed that over 80% of voters found ranked choice voting to be simple and easy to understand.
Contrary to some claims, Proposition 1 can be implemented affordably and in a fiscally responsible way. The Idaho Division of Financial Management estimated the cost of new equipment to be as low as $600,000—about 60 cents per voter. This cost is well worth it to ensure every voter’s right to participate.
Proposition 1 will restore the principles of the Idaho Constitution, which says that “All political power is inherent in the people” and that the people have a right to reform their government when necessary. Proposition 1 is a common-sense reform that will restore the rights of all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in every Idaho election.
What Your Vote Will Do
YES
A YES vote would replace Idaho’s primary election with a single top-four primary and change Idaho’s general election to a ranked-choice voting system.
NO
A NO vote would make no changes to the current primary and general election voting process.
