Absentee and early voting underway in Idaho for Nov. 4 local elections 

Absentee voting is underway in Idaho for the Nov. 4 local elections, and early in-person voting has started in some counties and expands to Ada, Bonneville and Kootenai counties on Monday, elections officials said. 

The Nov. 4 elections will go a long way to shaping the cities, counties, school districts and other local taxing districts that affect Idahoans’ lives on a daily basis.

Depending on where they live, voters may have city council elections, a mayor’s race, school board elections, school district levies, a public safety levy, an open spaces levy, cemetery district, fire protection district or various other local elections and issues to decide.

Idahoans have multiple options for casting their vote in the Nov. 4 local elections. 

While absentee voting and early voting have already begun across the state, voters also have the option to instead vote in person at their local polling place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Election Day, Nov. 4.

“Whether you vote early, absentee, or on Election Day, I encourage every eligible Idahoan to participate,” Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in a written statement. “Local elections play a critical role in shaping our communities.”

VoteIdaho.gov is a comprehensive election resource for Idahoans

One of the easiest ways for Idahoans to check their voter registration status, request an absentee ballot for free, pre-register to vote, find out what is on their ballot and find directions to their polling place is by visiting the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office’s official election website, www.voteidaho.gov. 

Canyon County Clerk Rick Hogaboam is encouraging Idahoans to make a plan and vote in the upcoming election. 

“Please know there is time to request an absentee ballot up to October 24 and that registered voters can return their ballot by mail, if they prefer,” Hogaboam said in a written statement. “We also added an additional week for early voting. Please check the deadlines and plan accordingly among all the options for qualified voters to cast a ballot for the election.”

In addition to the Oct. 24 deadline to request an absentee ballot, there is also a deadline for absentee ballots to be received by election workers. All absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s local elections office by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. It is not enough to drop the ballot in the mail and have it postmarked by Nov. 4; local elections officials must physically receive your ballot by the time polls close in order for your vote to count.

To register to vote, Idahoans will need a current photo ID and proof of residency. For the photo ID requirement, an Idaho driver’s license or Idaho ID card, a federal Tribal ID card, a passport or federal ID or an enhanced concealed weapons license issued by an Idaho sheriff’s office meet the requirements. For proof of residency, a proof of insurance card; a mortgage, lease or rental agreement; a utility bill other than a cell phone bill; a bank or credit card statement; a paycheck stub or an enrollment letter from an Idaho high school or university will work. More information about voter registration and voter registration requirements is available on the Vote Idaho website. 

Early voting begins Monday and is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time Monday through Friday from Oct. 20 through Oct. 31 at the Kootenai County Elections Office, 1808 N. Third St., in Coeur d’Alene. 

[/sidebar]