Voting in Idaho
Disability Rights Idaho
What is voting? Voting is a way for adult citizens to make decisions regarding an important issue or to pick someone for an office.
Who can vote? You can vote if: you are a United States Citizen, 18 years or older, registered to vote, and living in Idaho and the county you reside in at least 30 days before the election.
How do I register to vote? You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You can also register online or by filling out a voter registration form with your county clerk. Follow the instructions for completing and submitting the form.
Where can I vote? Everyone who can vote may vote at a polling place on Election Day. You can find your polling place by calling your county clerk or going online. In Idaho, you can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot, For more information, go to or call your county clerk.
Who can help me vote? Anyone you trust! You have the right to have someone help you fill out and submit your ballot. You can also call your county clerk, your local or state independent living center, or DisAbility Rights Idaho at 208-336-5353 or email info@disabilityrightsidaho.org if you need help registering to vote or voting.
Effective Communication when Voting in Idaho
Are election officials required to effectively communicate with voters with disabilities?
YES! The ADA requires election officials conducting any election at the federal, state, or local level to provide communication with voters with disabilities that is as effective as that provided to others. To ensure that voters with disabilities can fully participate in the election process, officials must provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services at each state of the voting process – from voter registration to the actual casting of ballots.
Are there times when an election official would not be required to provide an auxiliary aid or service?
YES, but only in instances where providing an aid or service would result in a fundamental or undue financial or administrative burden. Even in those cases, however, the election official must provide, if possible, another aid or service that results in effective communication.
What auxiliary aids or services may be provided?
In determining the type of auxiliary aid or service to be provided, election officials must give primary consideration to the request of the voter. According to the ADA, examples of auxiliary aids and services are as follows: a qualified reader; information in large print or Braille; accessible electronic information and information technology; audio recording of printed information; sign language interpreters, video remote interpreting, captioning, and written notes. For additional information about auxiliary aids and services, see https://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm
What if I need help making this request or my request is denied?
Contact DisAbility Rights Idaho by telephone at 208-336-5353 or email to info@disabilityrightsidaho.org.
How do I request Effective Communication when Voting in Idaho?
Step 1: Call, email or mail your county clerk. Do this as early as possible.
Step 2: Explain to them that you need an auxiliary aid or service in order to participate in the election process. Describe what auxiliary aid or service you need. Remember, even in such cases where a requested aid or service is not required to be provided because it may cause a fundamental alteration or an undue hardship or financial burden, the election official still has to provide, if possible, another aid or service that results in effective communication.
Step 3: Document the time and date of your request as well as the name of the election official you communicated with, Follow up with them in 3 business days until you receive confirmation that they will provide the aid or service you requested.
Here is a sample message you can use if you need to leave a message by telephone for your election official: “Hellow, my name is (first and last name) and I would like to request assistance in getting (registered to vote, requesting a ballot, completing a ballot). Please call me at (phone number) within the next 3 business days so that I can ensure I am able to vote in the upcoming election.
Here is a sample message you can use to request an auxiliary aid or service by email or mail: “Dear County Clerk Staff: My name is (first and last name). The purpose of this (letter/email) is to request assistance in getting (registered to vote, requesting a ballot,completeing a ballot, etc.). Please (write/email) me back or call me at (phone number) within the next 3 business days so that I can ensure I am able to vote in the upcoming election. Sincerely, (first and last name)