BOISE, Idaho — Idaho ballots cast in early voting and absentee for the upcoming general election have exceeded the statewide total in the primary election earlier this year, Secretary of State Phil McGrane announced.
Voter participation for the Nov. 5 general election is expected to reach historic heights in the Gem State. Officials on Wednesday said 293,443 ballots have been cast in Idaho, surpassing the 281,777 ballots cast in the May 21 primary election.
During early voting, 155,113 ballots have been cast and 138,330 absentee ballots have been returned to Idaho elections offices, with a 73% return rate.
Early voting runs through Friday, Nov. 1. Voters can return absentee ballots through 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. The Idaho Secretary of State's Office said it is too late for Idahoans to mail absentee ballots to guarantee arrival by the Election Day deadline.
Ballots cast by party in early voting and absentee as of Wednesday:
- Republican – 63%
- Unaffiliated – 21%
- Democratic – 16%
- Libertarian – 0.6%
- Constitution – 0.2%
“With Idahoans showing up in large numbers for early voting and absentee, we are on the path to a historic turnout for the November 5th General Election,” McGrane said. "I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan, whether it’s early voting through Friday, returning an absentee ballot, or heading to the polls on Election Day.”
To locate polling places, check early voting details and find more information on the election, visit the Vote Idaho website. Idahoans can also find an absentee and early voting tracker and additional data dashboards on the website.
