Photo Courtesy of Votesticker.org
Rhianna Iveson
Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Idaho voters will participate in the 2026 United States Midterm Elections.
Voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot on several of Idaho’s county, state and legislative offices, as well as measures such as two amendments to Idaho’s constitution, Prop 1 and which gun should be designated as Idaho’s official state gun.
“If there is one thing I could do for our elections, it would be actually getting people to show up and vote,” explained Phil McGrane, Idaho’s Secretary of State, in a presentation he gave on the upcoming midterms to students, community members and others in the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center on Oct. 22.
McGrane, an election guru since 2005, when he began working at his first election, brought to the audience’s attention the importance of voteidaho.gov, an all-encompassing website offering Idaho voters access to sample ballots, pros and cons to specific policies and other election statistics.
As shown on voteidaho.gov, Idaho’s midterm races feature Governor Brad Little running for his third consecutive term for the Republican party against Democratic Candidate Terry Pickens and several others.
One of Idaho’s two senators is also up for reelection, the candidates being Jim Risch (REP), Todd Achilles (IND), Natalie M Fleming (IND) and Matt Loesby (LIB).
Bannock County residents will be asked to vote on the District 2 U.S. Representative as well. The candidates are Will Johanson (LIB), Mike Simpson (REP), Ellie Gilbreath (DEM), Emre Houser (IND) and Tripp Charles Hutchinson (IND).
This year’s midterm elections also include two resolutions to Idaho’s constitution. Idahoans will be asked to vote yes or no on making English the official state language, as well as on who should have authority concerning the legalization of psychoactive substances.
Voteidaho.gov explains that “a ‘YES’ vote would give the Legislature exclusive authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances in the State of Idaho,” while “a ‘NO’ vote would make no change to Idaho’s Constitution, which currently allows changes to Idaho’s controlled substances laws using the initiative process.”
Idahoans will also be able to vote on Idaho’s Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act (Prop 1).
Voting no to Prop 1 would keep Idaho abortion laws as they currently stand – illegal “except when necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman, and during the first trimester in documented cases of rape or incest reported to law enforcement.”
Voting yes to Prop 1 will allow for abortions in Idaho prior to and after fetal viability, “providing protections against professional discipline and civil and criminal liability for healthcare providers; and codifying a statutory reproductive right to freedom and privacy.”
Proponents of Prop 1 advocate for the bill’s flexibility and capacity to protect the patient and health care providers, while those against remain firmly opposed to the bill’s legalization of late term abortions and vague wording. Visit voteidaho.gov for a more detailed explanation of both pros and cons to Prop 1.
Something that might come as a surprise on Idaho’s 2026 ballot is the opportunity to vote on an official state gun.
“I didn’t know that you could vote on a gun,” explained Mikayla Jensen, a freshman majoring in biology at Idaho State University. “I feel like lots of states have random state things. Guns are really common in Idaho so it makes sense.”
Voters will be able to select their preferred model out of six options: Winchester Model 1894, Winchester Model 1873 “Gun that Won the West,” 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Colt Pistol, M1 Garand Rifle and a Remington Model 700 Bolt-Action.
Photo Courtesy of Voteidaho.gov
Photo Courtesy of Voteidaho.gov
Photo Courtesy of Voteidaho.gov
Photo Courtesy of Voteidaho.gov
Photo Courtesy of Voteidaho.gov
Voteidaho.gov also provides voter registration resources and a complete list of Idaho’s polling locations, so that all Idahoans can participate in the 2026 Midterm Elections.
“I feel like voting is important,” stated Jensen. “That is how we actually have a say in our government.”
