Dedicated to fostering informed and engaged citizens among the members our college community, College of Western Idaho (CWI) has gathered the following information and resources about the Constitution of the United States and exercising your right to vote.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day, held each year on Sept. 17, commemorates the day the final draft of the United States Constitution was signed in 1787. Learn more about the Constitution and what it means to you.
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Voter Registration
United States citizens over the age of 18 may register to vote.
Register to Vote Online
You may register to vote online with a driver's license or identification card issued by the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
Register to Vote by Mail
To register to vote by mail, you may print and complete an Idaho Voter Registration Form. Completed forms may be mailed or delivered to your County Election Office at the address listed on the form. Forms may not be submitted via fax or email and must be postmarked or received 25 days prior to an election.
Register to Vote In Person
You may register to vote at your designated polling location on the day of an election. See the Election Day section below for in-person registration requirements.
Voter Registration Status
Confirm you are registered to vote, update your information, find your designated polling location, and view the status of your absentee ballot by checking your voter record.
If you request to vote by mail, or live in a county which only votes by mail, you can also confirm that your ballot has been received by your county clerk using this site.
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Voting by Mail
Idaho law permits any registered voter to request an absentee ballot.
- Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by 5 p.m. 11 days prior to the election.
- If you choose to vote by mail, be sure to request your ballot as soon as possible to allow time to receive, complete, and return your ballot.
- Absentee ballots received after the deadline will not be counted, regardless of the postmark date.
- If you are concerned about your ballot being received on time, you may choose to deliver your ballot in-person to your County Clerk.
- Check your voter record or contact your County Clerk to verify your ballot has been received.
- If you vote by mail or vote early, you will not need to go to your designated polling location on Election Day.
- Poll workers do not have the ability to confirm your ballot was received.
- In the State of Idaho it is a felony to vote more than once in any election and a misdemeanor to even attempt to vote more than once in any election.
Requesting an Absentee Ballot Online
- A valid Idaho Driver's License or State Identification Card, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number are required to complete an online absentee ballot request.
- If you just registered to vote, it may take several days for your voter registration to be processed before you will be able to request an absentee ballot.
Request an Absentee Ballot Online
Requesting an Absentee Ballot by mail
To register to vote by mail, you may complete an Absentee Ballot Application. Completed forms must be received by your County Clerk's office at the address listed on the form before 5 p.m. 11 days prior to an election.
- Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by 5 p.m. 11 days prior to the election.
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Early Voting
The State of Idaho permits counties to allow voters to cast their ballots early at their County Clerk's office.
- A valid form of identification and proof of residency is required.
- Each county may also designate Early Voting Sites for the convenience of voters.
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Election Day
Finding Your Polling Location
On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location.
- Check your voter record to find the address of your designated polling location.
- You may choose to have directions to your polling location emailed or text to you.
Voter Identification
A valid form of photo identification and proof of residence is require to vote.
Valid forms of identification include:
- Idaho Drivers License or Identification Card
- US Passport
- Federal or Military Photo ID Card
- Tribal ID Card
- Concealed Weapons License Issued by an Idaho County Sheriff
Valid proof of residence can be proved if your photo ID from the above has your correct address. If it does not you must also provide one of the following that shows your current address:
- proof of insurance
- mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
- property tax assessment, bill, or receipt
- utility bill (cell phone bills not accepted)
- bank or credit card statement
- paystub or paycheck
- intake document into a care facility
- enrollment letter from an Idaho high school or college
- letter from a social service agency
If you do not have a valid form of identification and proof of residence, you may request to complete a Personal Identification Affidavit at the polling place when you check in and you will be allowed to vote. Your vote will still be counted with all other ballots.
Voting
Each county and polling place may look and operate a little differently.
Paper Ballots
- If you are given a paper ballot and pen, make sure you completely fill in the square, circle, or oval for your chosen candidate.
- Checkmarks, X’s, or white space may result in your vote not being counted by the machine reading the ballot.
Electronic Voting
- For polling locations using electronic voting machines, take your paper ballot and follow the instructions on the screen to select your candidates and have the machine mark your paper ballot.
- A poll worker will be happy to explain how to fill out your ballot or use a voting machine and will not ask about, or check to see, who you are voting for.
- Be sure to check your ballot carefully before submitting it. If you make a mistake or change your mind, a poll worker will happily provide you with a new ballot.
Voting Assistance
- You are permitted to have someone come with you and help you to vote. This can be helpful if you are concerned about reading or seeing the ballot, if you want someone to make sure you are voting correctly, or if you just want someone there while you vote. This can be any person, or a poll worker can assist you.
- If you have children, they are welcome to come with you. It is a great way to teach older children about the importance of voting!
Election Day Registration
Idaho Law permits any eligible voter to register to vote at any polling place on the day of any election. The process will take a few minutes, but is simple to do, and your ballot will be counted in the same way as voters who registered before Election Day. You will be required to fill out a Voter Registration Card (similar to the mail-in voter registration card, and provide a valid form of identification and proof of residency in the Polling Precinct where you are voting.
Accessibility
Designated Idaho polling locations are accessible for all citizens with clear and accessible entrances, accessible polling booths, and voting machines that can read the ballot options aloud and mark your ballot for you using a touch screen or braille keyboard. A poll worker can help you to use this equipment and you can have someone come with you to help you vote, if that is more comfortable. Curbside voting and at-home voting are also available in special circumstances, but need to be coordinated with your county clerk’s office in advance. Information about accessible voting, including instructions on using accessible voting machines is available.