Voting season is upon us. Some absentee voters already have received their ballots; Ada County sent out an initial round of 9,000 ballots last week.

Important dates

• Oct. 12: Last day to pre-register to vote. Election Day registration is available.

• Oct. 15 through Nov. 2: Ada County and Canyon County in-person early voting.

• Oct. 31: Last day to request mail-in absentee ballots.

• Nov. 6: Election Day, polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be returned to county clerk's office by 8 p.m.

Significant changes

Four major changes have occurred since the last general election:

1. Idaho now has closed Republican primaries, but this does not affect general elections. General election voting is not restricted by party. All voters will receive a general election ballot on which they can vote for any candidate, proposed constitutional amendments and statewide propositions.

2. Statewide redistricting means many people will be in a different congressional or legislative districts.

3. In Ada County, precinct boundaries and polling places have been overhauled for the first time in three decades. This means many voters will have a new polling place or will be in a different precinct.

4. All voters must show photo ID or sign a personal identification affidavit.

Vote by mail

Registered voters may request an absentee ballot until 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Election Day.

Absentee ballot request forms are available online at www.idahovotes.gov.

You also may request an absentee ballot in person or in writing from your county clerk’s office.

Written requests must list your complete name and address, the address you want it mailed to and must be signed by you.

• Ada County Elections Office, 400 W. Benjamin Lane, Boise, 83704. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

• Canyon County Elections Office, 1102 E. Chicago, Caldwell, 83605. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Early voting

Registered voters may vote in person at their county elections office Oct. 15 through Nov. 2.

• Ada County early voting, 400 N. Benjamin Lane, Boise, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

• Canyon County early voting, 1102 E. Chicago St., Caldwell, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

• For early voting in other counties, please contact your county elections office.

Voting on Election Day

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can look up your polling place at www.idahovotes.gov or call Ada County Elections at 287-6860 or Canyon County Elections at 454-7562 to confirm your polling place.

Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428, Twitter: @CynthiaSewell