2020 General Election
Turnout rate (VEP)
0
%
Votes cast from mailed-out ballots
0
%
2016 General Election
Turnout rate (VEP)
0
%
Votes cast from mailed out ballots
0
%
State election policies as of 2022...
Full Vote-at-Home
0/10
Full Vote-at-Home
Voter automatically mailed ballot for every election
No Excuse Required
6/6
No Excuse Required
No excuse to vote from home
Single Sign-Up
0/6
Single Sign-Up
Voter signs up once to receive mail ballot for all future elections
Local Vote-at-Home Option
2/5
Local VAH Option
Local governments have discretion to conduct full vote-at-home elections
Online Mail Ballot Sign-Up
2/2
Online Mail Ballot Sign-Up
Voter can apply for mail ballot online
Ballot Tracking
1/4
Ballot Tracking
Voter can receive ballot status notifications.
In-Person Ballot Return
4/5
In-Person Ballot Return
Voter has multiple options to return mail ballot in person
Signature Verification
4/4
Signature Verification
Voter signature verified before ballot is counted
Ballot Cure Process
0/4
Ballot Cure Process
Voter can correct issues so ballot can be counted
Prepaid Postage
4/4
Prepaid Postage
Postage-paid return envelopes provided
Election Day Postmark Acceptance
0/4
Election Day Postmark Acceptance
Ballots postmarked by Election Day are accepted
In-Person Voting
4/4
In-Person Return
Physical locations for voters to vote and receive assistance
Pre-Processing
0/3
Signature Verification
Ballots are verified and scanned before Election Day
Mail Ballot Applications
2/2
Mail Ballot Applications
Election officials can mail ballot applications to all voters eligible to vote from home
Ballot Return Assistance
2/2
Ballot Return Assistance
Voters may receive assistance to return their mail ballot
Last Updated
Opportunities
Idaho can reduce costs and increase voter convenience by creating a permanent absentee voting list, on which voters can sign up to automatically be sent an absentee ballot for each election without having to re-apply. A permanent absentee list is a voter-centric reform that would also save the state significant expenses by cutting down on the requests it needs to process.
Idaho already allows counties to establish drop boxes, but it should allow them to place them on places other than county property. That way, voters have greater access to the ballot box while security is further ensured by 24/7 video monitoring. Drop boxes reduce strain on the postal system, and are sometimes a preferred method by voters who want more reassurance that their ballots will arrive on time. We also recommend allowing ballots to be received at polling places and other locations deemed necessary by clerks.
In the event that a voter’s ballot is rejected, said voter should have the ability to cure their ballot quickly and simply. As more voters use absentee ballots and, understandably, the number of rejected absentee ballots increases, we recommend implementing a Text2Cure system that allows voters to cure their ballots from their phones.
Ballot tracking software such as Ballot Scout or Ballot TRACE can be a very cost effective tool to improve Idaho’s current ballot tracking system. An expanded notification system helps keep rejection rates low and increases voter confidence and participation.
Recent Legislation
As of May 26, 2021
Before the pandemic, Idaho passed bills that made temporary adjustments to the electoral system in the wake of the COVID pandemic. SB 1001 facilitated ballot preprocessing and SB 1309 provided for access to emergency absentee ballots. In addition, an order issued by the Secretary of State ensured that the 2020 primary election would be conducted entirely by mail. Idaho has not yet passed legislation to codify these electoral improvements, but still has the opportunity to do so.
In its 2021 session, the Idaho Legislature passed H 290, which altered signature verification procedures, and S 1064, which prevented each voter from receiving absentee ballots from primary elections associated with more than one party. It is also currently considering bills that would provide for a cure process, facilitate absentee voting assistance in residential facilities, amend ballot mailing timelines, and enact ballot bearing restrictions. None of these bills have passed yet, but the legislature has the chance to pass them.