Voting in Idaho, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in Idaho through Friday, October 30.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

Tue, Oct 13 · passed
Early voting begins
Fri, Oct 23 · passed
Last day for mail ballot applications
Absentee applications by mail or online must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026.²
Fri, Oct 30 · 3 days
Early voting ends
Early voting runs from Tuesday October 13 until 5 p.m. on Friday October 30, 2026 in counties that offer it.¹
Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
Election Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
Voters can register and vote at the same time during early voting or on Election Day, and advance registration closes at 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.²
Thu, Nov 12 · 16 days
County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
Counties canvass nine days after the election, by November 12.³
Tue, Nov 24 · 28 days
State canvass; State certification
The statewide canvass is complete 21 days after the election, by November 24.³
After certification
Deadline to contest the result
A contest must be filed within 20 days after the votes are canvassed.⁴

Questions people ask about voting in Idaho

Q. When does early voting end in Idaho?

Early voting runs from Tuesday October 13 until 5 p.m. on Friday October 30, 2026 in counties that offer it.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Idaho?

Voters can register and vote at the same time during early voting or on Election Day, and advance registration closes at 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Idaho?

Absentee applications by mail or online must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Idaho?

Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in Idaho, and by when?

The county canvassing board, which is the county commission, canvasses the county results, and the county clerk serves as its secretary and sends the certified canvass to the state board. Counties must finish the canvass nine days after the election, by November 12, 2026. The State Canvassing Board, the Secretary of State, the Controller and the Treasurer, receives the county results and certifies the statewide totals. The state board of canvassers meets within 21 days after the election, by November 24, 2026.

Q. What happens after the count in Idaho, and when is there a recount?

A recount application must be filed within 20 days of the canvass, and the recount is state funded when the margin is one tenth of one percent or five votes, whichever is greater.

Q. How long is there to contest an election in Idaho?

A contest must be filed within 20 days after the votes are canvassed.

Sources

US Vote Foundation, Idaho Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/idaho-election-dates-and-deadlines
Vote.org, Idaho Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/idaho/
NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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