Some type of election in Idaho occurs annually in each of the state's cities and towns, the exact type of which is dependent on the year. Elections for federal and statewide offices occur in even-numbered years, while municipal elections occur in odd-numbered years.
Idaho voters may register in the Republican, Democratic, Libertarian or Constitution parties, or may choose to decline party preference and register as unaffiliated. Idaho allows same-day registration, as well as party affiliation, changes at both the primary and general elections.
In a 2020 study, Idaho was ranked as the 18th easiest state in terms of voting ease.[1]
See main article: United States presidential elections in Idaho.
The state of Idaho is currently apportioned four electors in presidential elections. This number of presidential electors is subject to change based on the results of the decennial United States Census, but has remained unchanged in Idaho since 1912. No Democrat has won the state since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and no Democrat has earned even 40 percent of the vote since then, as of 2020.
As with all U.S. states, Idaho elects two members to the United States Senate. The current Senators elected from Idaho are Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans. Senators serve six-year terms. The most recent U.S. Senate election in the state occurred on November 3, 2022. The next U.S. Senate election in Idaho will occur in 2026.
Idaho currently has two Congressional districts, each of which elects one member to the United States House of Representatives. The state's incumbent House members, Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, are both Republicans. Representatives serve two-year terms. The most recent Congressional elections took place in the state in 2022.
The Idaho Legislature is the state's bicameral state legislature. It is composed of two houses:
The Idaho Senate is the upper house of the state legislature. There are 35 state senatorial districts in the state, each of which elects one member to the Senate. The full Senate is up for election every two years. The most recent election was held on 2022.
The Idaho House of Representatives is the lower house of the state legislature. There are 35 state house districts in the state, each of which elects two members to the House. The full House is up for election every two years. The most recent election was held on 2022.
Idaho Supreme Court justices are elected in nonpartisan elections. Justices hold office for a period of four years and are elected at primary elections in May. The most recent elections for Idaho Supreme Court justices were held on November 8, 2022.
Elections for local government include elections for municipal leadership positions (such as mayor), legislative bodies (such as a city council), and other elections for various municipal positions, boards and commissions, as governed by each municipality's respective ordinances. Of the 200 incorporated cities in the state, all hold municipal elections in odd-numbered years, and most hold them on the traditional election day in November. Most Idaho cities utilize a mayor-council form of government. Lewiston, McCall and Twin Falls are the only Idaho cities which have a council-manager government.[2]
Since 2012 the state's Republican primary has been a closed, and only voters registered as Republicans can vote in that contest. Idaho's Democratic primary had been a caucus, but starting in 2020, the state party switched to the use of a mixed primary, in which registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters can vote in their primary election.[3]