Record voter turnout marks November elections in Idaho

The November 5 general election was a historic milestone for Idaho. With more than 900,000 ballots cast, we achieved the highest overall voter turnout in state history.

This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without the extraordinary commitment of Idaho’s 44 county clerks, election officials and poll workers in every county. Their tireless efforts ensured Idahoans experienced a safe, transparent and efficient election process.

Carrying out an election of this magnitude is no easy task. It took months of preparation, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to the 12 Principles of Idaho Elections – principles that emphasize accessibility, security and accuracy. Thanks to the diligent work of election teams, from those who manage early voting to the election workers who assist voters on Election Day, we have shown how these principles can lead to real success.

Leading up to the election, county election officials worked diligently to ensure Idaho residents had every opportunity to participate. The recently updated voteidaho.gov served as an important resource, providing voters with personalized sample ballots and important voting information.

Early voting and in-person absentee voting were offered in all 44 counties, making voting more accessible than ever. For those who register to vote and cast their ballots on Election Day, Idaho’s same-day registration process proved invaluable to more than 120,000 voters.

On election day, voters were given an open and secure system they could trust. Idaho’s paper ballots provide a verifiable trail that ensures accuracy. Our voting systems are rigorously tested, never connected to the internet, and comply with updated voter ID requirements.

Even after the last vote is cast, the work continues. Post-election audits in select counties will further confirm the accuracy of the results and increase public confidence in Idaho’s elections.

This year’s historic voter turnout is a testament not only to Idaho’s robust electoral process, but also to the unwavering commitment of the people behind it. To all county officials, election officials and poll workers – thank you. Your hard work made this election a success and maintained the integrity of Idaho’s democratic process.

Idahoans have every reason to be proud – not only of the record turnout, but also of the transparent and secure system that made it possible. As an Idahoan, I am deeply honored to witness such a commitment to excellence, and I hope you are proud, too.

Together, we showed why Idaho’s elections are a model of trust and transparency for the nation.