Early 2026 primary election voting begins today in Canyon, other Idaho counties

Early voting for the 2026 Idaho primary elections begins today in Bannock, Canyon, Twin Falls, Blaine and several other counties before expanding to other counties next week, according to the Idaho Secretary State’s Office. 

Next week, early voting begins in Ada, Bingham, Bonneville, Kootenai, Cassia, Latah, Madison and other counties. 

All Idaho counties offer either early voting or in-person absentee voting. 

In Idaho, early voting is one of several different options for voting. 

In-person voting at the polls will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on May 19.

Or, Idahoans can request an absentee ballot online at voteidaho.gov, an official website run by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office. Idahoans have until May 8 to request an absentee ballot. 

The deadline to change party affiliation or become unaffiliated before the primary election already passed on March 13. 

Idahoans have until May 8 to pre-register to vote before the primary election, or they can register to vote in person at their polling location during the primary election on May 19. 

What is on the ballot in Idaho in 2026?

The 2026 elections are important because the results will shape government and policy decisions across the state for years to come. This year, all 105 seats in the Idaho Legislature and all statewide constitutional offices like governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, state controller and superintendent of public instruction are up for election.

On top of that, three of Idaho’s four seats in Congress are up for election, as well as judges, clerks and county commissioners across the state. 

Because the Republican Party has controlled all three branches of government for decades, the Republican primary elections are high-stakes contests that often go a long way to determining who will hold office next year. 

A complete list of which Idaho counties offer early voting and which counties offer in-person absentee voting is available online at voteidaho.gov. Idahoans can also use voteidaho.gov to request an absentee ballot, find the location of their polling place, find a list of candidates running for office, view their sample ballot, verify their voter record or begin registering to vote. 

Winners of the May 19 primary election will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.