Voting FAQ

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Voter Registration & Qualifications
How do I register to vote?

You can save time and register to vote before Election Day online at the Secretary of State’s website. You can also register at your voting place when you go to cast your ballot. If your address has changed since the last election, take the time to update your voter registration.

Who is allowed to vote?

In order to vote in the next election, you must meet all of the requirements below. Please keep in mind, Idahoans can register to vote in advance of the election or when they show up to vote at the polls.

  • You must be 18 by Election Day
  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • You must have lived in Bingham County for 30 days prior to Election Day
  • Provide valid photo identification (Idaho Driver's License or ID card, tribal ID card, U.S. passport or Federal photo ID, or concealed weapons license)
  • You must provide either a state ID number or the last four digits of your social security number if you have not provided an Idaho Driver's License number.
  • You must provide proof of residency (vehicle registration, current utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
  • Felons may not register until they have completed the terms of their sentence
Can I register on Election Day?

You can register to vote on Election Day. You will need to bring a valid photo I.D. and proof of residency.

How do I declare political affiliation?

When you register to vote, you have the option to affiliate with a political party. However, voters may change or declare their party affiliation by completing a Idaho Political Party Affiliation Declaration form and mailing it to our office or emailing to dmiller@binghamid.gov.

May I vote if I’ve been convicted of a crime?

After you’ve completed all of the terms of your sentence, you will be allowed to vote in the next election.

I’ve moved since the last election. What do I need to do?

You can easily update your address with the Secretary of State’s office online. Click here to get started with updating your address and reregistering.

Can I check my voter resistration online?


The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office allows you to check your voter registration status on its website. Click here if you want to confirm your information is correct.

Voting Absentee
How do I vote absentee by mail?

We have an entire page dedicated to answering this question. Visit our Absentee Voting page to get easy step by step instructions. Please be informed that you must apply for Absentees each year.

How long does it take to get my ballot if I vote by mail?

If you would like to vote by mail, please give our office 3 to 7 days to process your request, plus a few additional days for your ballot to be mailed back to you.

I won’t be in Bingham County on Election Day. How do I vote?

Bingham County has worked hard to make voting accessible for everyone – even if you are out of town on Election Day. You may choose to vote prior to the election at the Bingham County Courthouse (Early Voting) or vote by mail.

Did you receive my absentee ballot request?

You may contact our office at (208) 782-3164 to check the status of your absentee ballot request.

What if I lost my ballot or made a mistake on it?

If you are voting by mail and you make a mistake on your ballot, please call us at (208) 782-3164 and we will help you determine what to do next.

Early Voting
When does early voting start?

Early voting typically starts 15 to 22-days prior to the election and ends the Friday before the election at 5 p.m.

Do I have to vote on Election Day?

If you will not be in town on Election Day, you can still cast your ballot if you choose to vote early at the courthouse or vote by mail.

Voting on Election Day
When is the next election?

The next election is Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where do I vote?

Visit our helpful tool and enter your address to find your exact polling place.

How many active polling places are there on Election Day?

There are 28 precincts in Bingham County. The number of polling locations varies for each election. Find your polling place.

Are the polling places ADA accessible?

Yes, Bingham County is committed to making voting accessible for everyone. All of our polling places are equipped with a voter assistance terminal to make it easier for voters who have difficulties seeing or marking their ballot. If you need extra help, poll workers can assist you or you can bring someone you trust along with you when you vote.

What precinct am I in?

To determine what precinct you are in, visit our Polling Place Locator tool. Type your address in the right hand corner and hit search. Once your address pops up, click on the blue parcel dot to see the polling place and precinct number.

On the Ballot
Am I required to vote for everything on the ballot?

While we encourage everyone to complete their entire ballot, you may choose to only vote for the candidate or issues you care about and leave other sections of your ballot blank.

How do I find what is on the ballot?

Click on the link to show sample ballot.

Where can I get information on candidates and issues?

If you would like to learn more about what will be on the ballot in an upcoming election, we recommend checking with your favorite local media source. Many local media outlets produce voter guides to help you become a more informed voter, or reach out to the candidate themselves. Levy/bond issues may be addressed at the School District office. 

Other
How do primaries work in Idaho?

Primary elections help narrow down a field of candidates for a particular political party and determine who should ultimately represent the party in the general election. Starting in 2011, you must be associated with the political party in whose primary you are voting. However, political parties have the ability to open their primaries to unaffiliated voters or voters registered with another party if they notify the Secretary of State’s office ahead of the election. To learn more about voting in a primary, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

When are the election results posted?

Once the polls close state-wide on Election Day and we start to count the ballots, unofficial results are posted live on our website.

What is a poll watcher and who is authorized to assume that role?

To ensure fair and honest elections, the State of Idaho allows Poll Watchers to observe election activities. The primary responsibility of the Poll Watcher is to observe the conduct of the election at a specific polling place on behalf of a candidate, party, or ballot question on Election Day. There are special requirements and deadlines to assume responsibilities of a poll watcher. Please contact the Elections office at (208) 782-3164.