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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Idaho: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Idaho for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Idaho's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 11 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 12, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 11 days before Election Day at 5 p.m.
- Polls Close
- 8 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. PT (last close 11:00 p.m. ET)
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Idaho voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
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See rule
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Nov 7, 2028
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Early voting opens
On or after the fourth Monday before Election Day County option — start dates vary.
Official source →See rule
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Election Day
Polls close 8 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. PT (last polls close 11:00 p.m. ET). The northern panhandle is on Pacific time.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Idaho Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Idaho's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Idaho's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Jim Risch (R) vs Todd Achilles (I) vs Natalie Fleming (I) vs Matt Loesby (L).
Idaho Supreme Court
Decided earlierIdaho's 2028 Idaho Supreme Court seats were decided before November. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How Idaho chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Idaho's official election site.
Find your Idaho representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Idaho
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 11 days before Election Day.
Idaho also allows same-day registration on Election Day itself.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Idaho's official site.
Early Voting in Idaho
Early voting opens ≈ October 12, 2026 — On or after the fourth Monday before Election Day. It runs through 5 p.m. Friday before Election Day.
County option — start dates vary.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Idaho's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Idaho
Any registered voter in Idaho may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: 11 days before Election Day at 5 p.m..
Return rule: Must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Track your ballot: look up your record at Idaho's voter portal to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Idaho's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Idaho
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
See the full list of accepted ID at Idaho's official election site.
Poll Hours in Idaho
Polls are open until 8 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. PT on November 7, 2028 — because Idaho spans more than one time zone, the last polls in the state close at 11:00 p.m. ET. The northern panhandle is on Pacific time.
See how Idaho's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Idaho's official election site.
When Idaho Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County boards of canvassers — by about November 12, 2026. Within nine days of the election (shortened from 10 in 2026).
- Statewide: State Board of Canvassers — November 24, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Deadline for the state canvass to begin; certification follows.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Idaho?
11 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://voteidaho.gov/voter-registration/.
Can I vote early in person in Idaho?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 12, 2026 (On or after the fourth Monday before Election Day) and runs through 5 p.m. Friday before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Idaho?
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
When do polls close in Idaho?
Polls close 8 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. PT (the last polls in the state close 11:00 p.m. ET) on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Idaho?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — 11 days before Election Day at 5 p.m.. Must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Is it too late to register to vote in Idaho?
11 days before Election Day Confirm at https://voteidaho.gov/voter-registration/.
How do I track my mail ballot in Idaho?
Look up your voter record at Idaho's voter portal (https://elections.sos.idaho.gov/ElectionLink/ElectionLink/VoterSearch.aspx) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Idaho?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Idaho's official election site (https://voteidaho.gov/voter-registration/).