Idaho law provides for absentee voting for registered voters.
Voters who wish to vote early, or will be unable to vote at their precinct in any upcoming elections, may vote by mail or in-person at the Power County Clerk’s Office, 543 Bannock Avenue, American Falls, ID 83211.
Those wishing to vote absentee by mail must first submit an Application for Absent Elector’s Ballot or request by letter including your name, home address, and address you want the ballot to be mailed to.
All parties requesting an absentee ballot must sign the application or letter of request. The completed application or request can be delivered by mail, fax, or in person, to the Power County Clerk’s Office, 543 Bannock Avenue, American Falls, Idaho 83211. Phone: (208) 226-7610, Fax: (208) 226-7612.
Absentee ballots must be received in the Clerk’s Office by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. The last day to vote Absentee in-person is the Friday before Election Day.
Absentee Registration and/or Application for Absentee Ballot must be applied for by the Applicant to the County Clerk in the County in which the elector’s Idaho residence is.
Mail-In Voter Registration card can be requested from the Clerk’s office.
Application for an absentee ballot (you must be a registered elector in Idaho to request an absentee ballot):
- can be requested from Clerk’s office.
- click here to complete your Application for Absent Elector’s Ballot.
- or by submitting a written request with the required information (name of elector, residence address in Idaho and mailing address to which such registration or ballot is to be forwarded) signed by the applicant.
Important Definitions and Statutes
Idaho Code § 34-104. “Qualified elector” defined. “Qualified elector” means any person who is eighteen (18) years of age, is a United States citizen and who has resided in this state and in the county at least thirty (30) days next preceding the election at which he desires to vote, and who is registered as required by law.
Idaho Code § 34-107. “Residence” defined.
- “Residence,” for voting purposes, shall be the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person. Principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which his habitation is fixed and to which a person, whenever he is absent, has the present intention of returning after a departure or absence therefrom, regardless of the duration of absence.
- In determining what is a principal or primary place of abode of a person the following circumstances relating to such person may be taken into account: business pursuits, employment, income sources, residence for income or other tax pursuits, residence of parents, spouse, and children, if any, leaseholds, situs of personal and real property, situs of residence for which the exemption in section 63-602G, Idaho Code, is filed, and motor vehicle registration.
- A qualified elector who has left his home and gone into another state or territory or county of this state for a temporary purpose only shall not be considered to have lost his residence.
- A qualified elector shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any county or city of this state into which he comes for temporary purposes only, without the intention of making it his home but with the intention of leaving it when he has accomplished the purpose that brought him there.
- If a qualified elector moves to another state, or to any of the other territories, with the intention of making it his permanent home, he shall be considered to have lost his residence in this state.
Idaho Code § 34-1113. Identification At The Polls: All voters shall be required to provide personal identification before voting at the polls or at absent electors polling places as required by Idaho Code § 34-1006. The personal identification that may be presented shall be one of the following:
- An Idaho driver’s license or identification card issued by the Idaho transportation department;
- A passport or an identification card, including a photograph, issued by an agency of the United States government;
- A tribal identification card, including a photograph; or
- A current student identification card, including a photograph, issued by a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college or technical school, located within the state of Idaho
Idaho Code § 34-1114. Affidavit In Lieu Of Personal Identification: If a voter is not able to present personal identification as required in Idaho Code § 34-1113, the voter may complete an affidavit in lieu of the personal identification. The affidavit shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall require the voter to provide the voter’s name and address. The voter shall sign the affidavit. Any person who knowingly provides false, erroneous or inaccurate information on such affidavit shall be guilty of a felony.
