KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Idaho is officially two weeks away from the state’s voter registration deadline.
For those who have recently moved to the area from out of state, it is crucial to have the voter registration form postmarked by October 11th. If voters are registering online, they can visit the VoteIdaho.Gov website. The online registration form needs to be submitted by midnight on October 11th.
To register, voters will need to also send in an acceptable picture ID. This may include an Idaho drivers license, federal ID, a travel card or an Idaho concealed weapons permit. Voters can email, mail or physically bring the identification to their elections office.
However, if residents have not updated their driver’s license to their current Idaho address, they will also be required to show proof of residency.
If voters are planning to vote in the 2024 election through an absentee ballot, that registration needs to be received on October 25th by 5 p.m., either by mail, online or in person. If a voter is going to mail in their registration for the absentee ballot, it is imperative to mail it in a few days prior to October 25th to ensure it is received by the deadline.
The early voting period in Idaho starts on October 21st and ends on November 1st.
Kootenai County Elections Clerk, Jennifer Locke, told KREM2 that voters mustn't forget to sign any registration forms, ballots, and absentee forms. If there is a missing signature, the vote will not count.
With the large voter turnout Kootenai County expects, the county is still looking for poll workers. They will be hiring up until October 15th. They advise to reach out directly to the Kootenai County Elections office for those interested. More poll workers will help ease long lines and wait times.
Another important piece of information is the Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland school districts will close school for students on November 5th. As the public campuses serve as polling locations, administrators decided to keep students at home for the day. This is followed by Boise School District doing the same thing because there will be large crowds on the school's campus that affects the student’s school day.