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Although photo ID requirements for voting have not changed, the rules for voting in the primaries are different this year in Idaho. Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Idaho in 2012:
ID REQUIREMENTS
Do I need to bring ID to vote?
Yes, you will need to show a valid photo ID to vote. The following forms of ID are acceptable:
- An Idaho driver's license or ID card issued by the Idaho Transportation Department;
- A passport or ID card, including a photo, issued by an agency of the U.S. government;
- Tribal ID, including a photo; or
- Student ID, including a photo, from a high school or an accredited institution of higher learning within Idaho.
If you do not have one of these forms of identification, you may complete an affidavit instead. The affidavit must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and it requires the voter to provide his or her name, address and signature.
ABSENTEE VOTING
For an absentee ballot, you must apply to the county clerk's office where you reside. You must be registered to vote in Idaho to request an absentee ballot.
Application for an absentee ballot:
- Can be requested from the clerk's office or printed from the website at: www.idahovotes.gov/VoterReg/absentee.pdf; or
- Made by submitting a written request with the required information (name of voter, residence address in Idaho and mailing address to which the registration or ballot is to be forwarded), signed by the applicant.
If you wish to have an absentee ballot mailed to you, the request must be received by the county clerk's office by the sixth day prior to the election. You still can cast an absentee ballot in person at the absent elector's polling place (usually the county clerk's office) until 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
For more information, go to www.idahovotes.gov or call the Idaho secretary of state's office at 208-334-2852.
WHAT HAS CHANGED
Voting in the Primaries
Beginning in 2011, a law went into effect that restricts a voter to voting only in the primary election of the political party for which he or she is registered, unless the parties notify the secretary of state in writing that they will allow additional voters (unaffiliated voters and/ or voters registered with another party) to participate in the party's primary election.
Subsequently, the Democratic Party exercised the option to open its primary election to include voters not affiliated with the party.
The Republican Party did not exercise the same option. Voting in the Republican primary election will be limited to party members only.
As a result:
- Members of the Democratic, Republican, Constitution or Libertarian parties and those who do not affiliate with any party will be permitted to vote the Democratic ballot if they so choose.
- Only registered Republican voters will be allowed to vote in the Republican primary.
- Those not registered with a party may register with a party on Election Day.
Party registration requirements have no effect on general election procedures.
In the general election, all voters will receive exactly the same ballot and may vote for any candidate whose name appears on it, without regard to the political affiliation of the candidate or the voter.