BOISE - With presidential primary season in full-swing, Idahoans are preparing to cast their first votes.
The state's Republicans will hold a primary on March 8, while Democrats will hold county caucuses on March 22. At stake are 32 delegates for the GOP and 27 delegates for the Dems.
Idaho's primaries will take place a full two months earlier this year than they have in years past. Last spring, the Idaho Legislature passed - and Gov. Butch Otter signed - a bill moving up the presidential primary from May to March.
Officials believe the move will increase participation, while increasing Idaho's profile in the primaries.
Also on ballots March 8, some school bonds and levies are up for vote. To find out if there is a bond or levy on your ballot, click here. Presidential candidates will appear on separate ballots from school elections.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Tuesday, March 8
Polls open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Unlike four years ago when the Idaho Republican Party held caucuses to award delegates, this year they are moving back to a traditional primary election, partly because it is easier for voters to navigate.
“It was logistically challenging,” said Dave Johnston, the executive director for the Idaho Republican Party. “It was a burden on our voters who were able to participate, but it excluded a lot of people from being able to participate.”
To vote in Idaho's Republican presidential primary, you must be affiliated with the Republican Party. Voters can fill out affiliation forms at the polls on election day.
Delegates are awarded on a proportional basis. Candidates must get at least 20 percent of the vote statewide to qualify.
For a look at the Republican Party ballot and more information on the Idaho GOP, click here.
The Idaho Constitution Party will also hold its presidential primary on March 8. Find out more here.
KTVB will have live election results on air and on KTVB.COM as soon as the numbers come in.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUSES
Tuesday, March 22
Mountain Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. (doors close at 7 p.m.)
Pacific Time: 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. (doors close at 6 p.m.)
Idaho Democrats will make their choice for president by holding county caucuses on March 22. Caucusing is more interactive - and more time consuming - than simply voting at a poll. Tom Hamilton, political director for the Idaho Democratic Party explains:
“There's a first round of voting where you say 'I'm still undecided.' And then, there's a second round of voting where folks will come forward, make speeches and try to persuade you to vote for their candidate,” said Hamilton. “It's very interactive and very exciting.”
Democratic presidential candidates needs at least 15 percent support to win delegates, which, like the Republican primary, are awarded proportionally. If only one candidate qualifies for delegates, then that candidate is given all of the delegates.
The Idaho Democratic Party says anyone can participate in the county caucuses - regardless of party affiliation - as long they did not cast a vote in the March 8 primary.
Ada County's caucus will take place at the Boise Centre, while Canyon County's will happen at Sage Valley Middle School in Caldwell.
FIND YOUR COUNTY CAUCUS LOCATION
- Ada, Boise Center on the Grove, 850 W Front St, Boise
- Bannock, Idaho State University Pond Student Union Building Ballroom, 921 S. 8th Ave, Pocatello
- Benewah, Walker Building Benewah County Fairgrounds, St. Maries
- Bingham, Sa-Sys Event Ctr., 214 S. University, Blackfoot
- Blaine, Wood River High School Campus Gym, 1250 Fox Acres Rd, Hailey
- Boise, Garden Valley High School, 1053 Banks Lowman Road, Garden Valley
- Bonner, Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 North Boyer Road, Sandpoint
- Bonneville, Skyline High School Gymnasium, 1767 Blue Sky Dr., Idaho Falls
- Boundary, Exhibit Hall Fairgrounds, Bonners Ferry
- Butte, Butte County High School, 120 S Water St, Arco
- Camas, My Home, 822 East Highway 20, Fairfield
- Canyon, Sage Valley Middle School, 18070 Santa Ana Ave., Caldwell
- Clearwater, Orofino Junior Senior High School, 300 Dunlap Road, Orofino
- Custer, Custer County Courthouse, 801 E. Main St., Challis
- Elmore, Mountain Home Senior Center, 1200 N. 3rd East, Mountain Home
- Franklin, Franklin County Fire Station, 55 W 1st S, Preston
- Gem, Gem County Recreation District, 107 E. Main St., Emmett
- Gooding, 145 7th Ave. East, Gooding
- Idaho, Grangeville High School Gymnasium, Grangeville
- Jefferson, Rigby Library, 110 N State St., Rigby
- Kootenai, Boswell Hall, North Idaho College, 1000 W Garden, Coeur D'Alene
- Latah, McDonald Elementary School, 2323 E. D Street, Moscow
- Lemhi, Salmon City Center, 200 Main Street, Salmon
- Madison, Madison Middle School, 575 W 7th S, Rexburg
- Minidoka, Burley Inn, 800 Overland Ave., Burley, Idaho
- Nez Perce, Jenifer Junior High School, 1213 16th St., Lewiston
- Owyhee, Owyhee County Extension Office, 238 W 8th Ave., Marsing
- Payette, Mandarin Restaurant, 411 SW 3rd St., Fruitland
- Power, American Falls Housing Authority, 290 Tyhee Ave., American Falls
- Shoshone, VFW Post 1675, 318 E Mullan Ave., Osburn
- Teton, Teton Middle School, 935 N 5th East, Driggs
- Twin Falls, Southern Idaho (CSI) Fine Arts Center, 315 Falls Ave., Twin Falls
- Valley, McCall-Donnelly High School- Commons Area, 401 N. Mission, McCall
- Washington, Weiser Public Library, 28 E 1st St., Weiser
For more Idaho voting information, including poll locations, voter registration forms, and much more, visit the Idaho Votes website.