Didn’t get your ballot? You can still vote right now in Idaho’s primary, but act fast
If you requested an absentee ballot but haven’t gotten it yet, there is still time for you to vote — but you’re going to need to act really quickly.
Officials knew this may happen when a federal judge extended the deadline to request a ballot but did not address the deadline to return it, but all hope is not lost if you haven’t seen your ballot.
Both Ada and Canyon counties say they’re working with voters who never received (or otherwise are unable to use) their ballots, but all ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. today (Tuesday, June 2) to be counted.
Here is what you’ll need to do:
1. Call your county elections office immediately
If you live in Ada County, the phone number to call is 208-287-6860. In Canyon County, call 208-454-7562.
Explain your situation to the elections official, who should be able to look up whether you requested a ballot by the May 26 deadline. If you didn’t, you won’t be able to vote. But if you did, they should be able to print you a new ballot.
Not getting your ballot is the most obvious reason to request a new one, but Chelsea Carattini, spokesperson for the Ada County elections office, said officials have also printed ballots for people whose children ripped them up.
If you put your ballot in the mail this weekend, calling your election office is also how you can ensure your vote is counted. If the offices have not received a ballot for you, you’ll be able to get a new one that will be counted. If you have returned your ballot, the first will be “spoiled,” another word for canceled, when it is caught by computer systems that ensure people cannot vote twice.
2. Head to their office to get your new ballot
You’ll need to get to your respective elections office before the 8 p.m. return deadline. Canyon County is taking appointments, spokesman Joe Decker said, while Carattini said that people are able to come as long as they’re willing to wait for information to be verified and ballots to be printed.
Once you arrive, let the officials know you are there by calling once again. They will then bring you a paper absentee ballot in its envelope. It is a good idea to bring a pen with you so you can fill out the ballot. Decker made clear this isn’t like in-person voting — you’ll still need to use the envelopes and the drop box — but he said the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office approved the process for voters who didn’t get their ballot.
You’re not alone if that is how you’re voting. Decker said “a handful” of people in Canyon County have already been able to get their ballots, while Carattini said she’s seen “a couple cases.” You may have to be patient, however. Carattini noted that although they don’t have any extra staff to help voters in a pickle, they are “happy and willing to work with voters.”
If you live in Ada County, go to 400 N. Benjamin Lane in Boise. If you’re a Canyon County resident, head to 1102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell.
3. Fill it out as you normally would.
Now, fill out your ballot as you would in any voting situation.
Make sure you use both envelopes you are given. The first is a privacy envelope, and the second is one you are required to sign and date when you turn in your ballot. You put your ballot into the privacy envelope and then seal that envelope into the outer one. Sign, date and drop it into the box at your elections office by 8 p.m.
What if I got my ballot but haven’t returned it?
Votes will be counted tonight, so you may want to hurry and get it in. You have until 8 p.m. Make sure it’s signed — otherwise it won’t count.
In Canyon County, you can drop yours at 102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell.
If you’re an Ada County resident, you have a few options. You can take yours to:
- Elections office (400 N. Benjamin Lane in Boise)
- Ada County Courthouse (200 W. Front St. in Boise — the mobile voting trailer will be in the parking lot and accepting ballots)
- Meridian City Hall (33 E. Broadway Ave. in Meridian)
- Eagle City Hall (660 E. Civic Lane in Eagle)
- Kuna City Hall (751 W. 4th St. in Kuna).
Regardless of where you return it, you have not quite two hours left.
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