Deadline for absentee requests, voting preregistration is Friday

COEUR d’ALENE — Today is the deadline to request an absentee ballot and preregister to vote at VoteIdaho.gov ahead of the Nov. 4 local elections.

After Friday’s 5 p.m. deadline, eligible voters can still register in-person or on Election Day with an accepted form of photo ID and proof of residence. 

“As the election approaches, I encourage every Idahoan to make a plan and be ready to vote in the local elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4,” Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in a news release. 

People who need to register to vote or who have moved and need to reregister must show a valid photo ID, such as an Idaho driver’s license or Idaho ID card, a passport or federal ID, a tribal ID card or a concealed weapons license issued by a county sheriff in Idaho. 

For most voters, a current Idaho driver’s license satisfies both the photo ID and proof of residence requirements, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office. Out-of-state driver’s licenses are not acceptable forms of photo ID. 

Early voting is underway at the Kootenai County Elections Office, 1808 N. Third St., through Oct. 31. Early voting is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Almost everyone in the county has a race to vote on, including city and school board races, but about 2,500 voters in the county won’t have anything to vote on because their races were contested or because of where they reside. 

Elections staff recommend that voters visit VoteIdaho.gov to check what will be on their ballots in advance. 

“VoteIdaho.gov is your trusted resource to get the information you need and to make your voice heard in your community,” McGrane said.