It’s Election Day in Idaho. What to know before heading to the polls
Tuesday, May 19, is Election Day in Idaho.
Registered voters across Idaho will vote in the primary election, picking their favorite candidates depending on their party affiliation.
In Idaho, which has a closed Republican primary, only registered Republicans can cast votes for Republican candidates. Democrats and unaffiliated voters can vote for Democratic candidates.
Several state and federal government positions are up for grabs, including Idaho governor and U.S. Senate seats.
Winners of the primary go on to face challengers from the other parties in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Here’s what to know:
What’s on the ballot for 2026 primary election?
On Tuesday, Idaho voters will pick their party nominees for Idaho governor and U.S. Senate as well as Idaho State Legislature and county government positions. There’s also a contested district judgeship in Ada County.
To learn more, you can check out the Idaho Statesman’s list of candidates for federal and statewide offices, plus legislative candidates and judgeships seeking to represent districts in the Treasure Valley.
When do polls open on Election Day?
Polling places in Idaho will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, and remain open until 8 p.m.
What’s the deadline for mailing or dropping off my ballot?
You can return your absentee ballot by mail, drop it off at an official elections drop box or bring it to your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
In Ada County, drop boxes are located at city halls in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star and Kuna city.
The Ada County Elections Office is at 400 North Benjamin Lane in Boise.
In Canyon County, absentee ballots must be returned to the county elections office at 1102 East Chicago St. in Caldwell.
Where is my polling place?
To find your designated polling location, check your voter registration card.
You can also go to VoteIdaho.gov and look up your address.
If you live in Ada County, you can check out this map and find your polling place by typing in an address at the top.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
To vote in person on Election Day, you’ll need to show a form of identification such as a driver’s license, state ID card, tribal card or U.S. passport.
When you arrive at your polling place, you’ll check in with an election worker and vote in a private kiosk. You’re allowed to bring notes with you.
If you make a mistake, you can ask a poll worker for a new ballot.
Can I still vote if I’m in line at 8 p.m.?
You can still vote after polls close as long as you’re in line by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Can I promote my candidate at the polling place?
“You may not display, wear, hand out any materials or post any signs that supports or opposes a current candidate or ballot question within 100 feet of a polling place,” according to the Office of the Idaho Secretary of State.
You’re also banned from soliciting signatures, interfering with the voting process, disrupting the polling place or obstructing other voters’ access to the polling place.
Electioneering is an illegal and fineable offense, according to the Office of the Idaho Secretary of State.
On the first and second offense, violators will receive an infraction fine of $300. A third offense will result in a misdemeanor charge and a fine up to $1,000.
Am I allowed to talk to other voters?
In Idaho, it’s illegal to influence how another person votes.
Under Idaho law, threatening or bribing someone to alter their vote could lead to a citation.
Voting more than once — or voting when you are not legally eligible to do so — is a misdemeanor, according to the state office.
“Before and on Election Day, you may not remove or destroy any materials or equipment placed in the polling area to allow voters to vote, including candidate lists, voter instruction signs, the voting equipment and supplies needed for voting,” the polling rules said.
Destruction of election property could result in a $1,000 fine and a misdemeanor charge.
If you want to advocate for your chosen candidate or protest against others, you need to be at least 250 feet away from an election site.
According to Idaho law, you can campaign within 250 feet of a polling place if you get permission to access an adjacent private property.
Can my pet come along with me?
There are no state regulations preventing voters from bringing a furry companion along for the wait. However, you should call ahead to check with your polling location as building rules will differ.
Service animals are always allowed at the polls.
How can I track my ballot?
You can track your ballot via Idaho’s Voter Information Look-Up online tool.
Voters in Ada County can use the Ballot Verifier tool. However, the Ada County Elections Office said it could take four to six weeks for ballots to appear on the site.
When will I know the results of primary election?
Statesman reporters will bring you live results on Election Night, starting when the polls close.
We’ll be updating results throughout the night as new numbers come in and will report them at IdahoStatesman.com and in our Idaho Statesman app.
This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 4:00 AM.
