Dylon Harrison
Managing Editor
The 2020 presidential election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. While many people consider that to be the day the election actually starts, the truth is that the election has already started. Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots through various early voting methods.
More people than ever before have registered to vote for this election. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have also turned to methods of voting other than the traditional method of voting at the polls on Election Day.
According to Chad Houck, Idaho’s Chief Deputy Secretary of State, Idaho has surpassed one million registered voters for the first time in the state’s history.
Out of all of Idaho’s potential voters, over 40% have requested an absentee ballot for the coming election.
In the state of Idaho, mail-in voting is not used. However, absentee ballots can be submitted by mail, as well as in person.
“In states that rely on mail, they often rely on postmark dates,” Houck said.
In Idaho, a ballot sent through the mail must be in the possession of your county clerk’s office by 8:00 p.m. local time on the day of the election.
The mailing address for Bannock County’s clerk’s office is PO Box 4489, Pocatello, Idaho 83205.
The postmark date is not considered when determining if a ballot was received on time. If the ballot is not to the clerk by the designated time, the vote will not be counted.
If you wish to receive your ballot by mail, the request must be received by your county clerk’s office by Friday, Oct. 23. You can request an absentee ballot at idahovotes.gov.
In order to vote with an absentee ballot, you must already be registered to vote. Idaho’s early voter registration deadline has already passed, but you can still register to vote in person at the polls on the day of the election.
If you are unsure whether you have registered to vote or not, that can also be checked at idahovotes.gov.
Government officials recommend submitting your ballot as soon as possible, to assure that it is received in time.
In addition to being sent by mail, absentee ballots can also be submitted to your local county clerk’s office in person until the deadline.
Information on where to submit your absentee ballot in person and where to vote in person on Election Day in Bannock County can be found at bannockcounty.us/election.
If you are a student who has yet to register to vote, you have the option to either vote in the county of your permanent residence or in the county in which you attend school. If you choose to vote in your school’s county, you will need to bring proof of residence, such as a letter from University Housing or a bill sent to your local address, with you to the polling place to register in that county.
Idaho election results will not be released until all polling locations in the state have closed. Because Idaho sits within two different time zones, most of the state will see an hour delay in the election results after their local polls have closed.
For any other question about voting in Idaho, as well as to access all voting resources for the state, visit idahovotes.gov, or contact your county clerk’s office.
In Bannock County, the county clerk is Jason C. Dixon. His office can be contacted at (208) 236-7333 or at su.ytnuockconnabnull@midnarb.
