Freedom is Why We're Here!

Restoring Your Right to Vote in Idaho

The right to vote is an important civil right in a democracy as well as a civic responsibility, and yet many persons who have been convicted of a felony crime do not know whether they are eligible to vote.  For both federal and state elections, the right to vote is controlled by the law of the state in which you live.  Some states, including Idaho, restrict the right to vote for persons who have been convicted of a felony.  Your right to vote is not restricted by a misdemeanor conviction.  The following information can help you determine whether you are eligible to vote in Idaho and what steps you must take to be permitted to vote. 

What law governs whether my felony conviction limits my right to vote?

The impact of a criminal conviction on the right to vote varies widely from state to state.  Whether you can vote after being convicted of a crime is determined by the state in which you live, not the state in which you were convicted.  

Can I vote while I’m incarcerated in Idaho?

If you are a resident of Idaho, you cannot vote while you are under a sentence of custody to the Idaho State Board of Corrections.  If you are a resident of another state who is temporarily incarcerated in Idaho, you may be able to vote an absentee ballot for your home state.  You need to consult the law of your home state regarding both criminal convictions and absentee ballots to see if this is a possibility.

I have been released from prison.  How do I restore my right to vote?

In Idaho, the right to vote is automatically restored upon satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole.    While you are on felony probation or parole, for a state or federal offense, you cannot vote in Idaho.  Upon final discharge of all aspects of your state or federal sentence, your right to vote is automatically restored, and you can register to vote.  You do not have to petition the court or submit any forms before you can register to vote.

What happens if I move to another state?

If you move to another state, your right to vote will be controlled by the laws of that state.

What are Idaho’s other voter registration requirements?

To vote in Idaho, you must be a U.S. citizen, have lived in your Idaho county for at least 30 days before the next election, and be at least 18 years old on the day of the next election.

When do I need to register to vote?

Registration is available year-round in Idaho.  You can register by mail, but the mail application must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the next election in order for you to be eligible to vote in that election.

Where do I go to register?

Registration is available at many places in Idaho, including the County Clerk’s office, the Department of Transportation, and many public service agencies. If you register at an agency, you must be registered by the 25th day prior to the next election in order to be permitted to vote in that election.

Can I register at the polls on election day?

You can also register to vote in person at the polls on election day by providing proof of residence.  The following documents showing your current address can be accepted to register at the polls on election day:  a valid Idaho driver’s license; a valid Idaho identification card issued through the Department of Transportation; any document which contains a valid address in the precinct together with a photo identification card; or a valid student identification card from an Idaho college accompanied with a current student fee statement that contains the student’s valid address, together with a photo ID.

For more information, contact the ACLU of Idaho at (208) 344-9750 or

Idaho Secretary of State’s Office at (208) 334-2300