Know Your Rights as a Voter

Voting is underway in one of the most important elections in the history of the United States! Whether you are voting by absentee ballot, voting early between now and Friday, November 1, or voting on Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, know your rights as a voter before you go to the polls.

PREPARING TO VOTE

Before you vote, confirm you are registered. You can check your voter registration here. If you are not registered, you can register at your voting location with a photo ID and proof of residence. When it’s time to vote, make sure you have what you need to prove your identity. A photo ID or signed affidavit attesting to your identity is required every time you vote.

AT THE VOTING BOOTH

You are not required to vote for every race on the ballot. You can leave sections blank if you choose not to vote for certain races or measures. Even if you’re voting by machine and it alerts you to blank sections, you are not required to complete any section of the ballot. Your ballot will still be counted for the races in which you do vote. How you choose to complete your ballot is a form of political expression that is protected by the First Amendment.

CHECK YOUR BALLOT CLOSELY

There have been reports across the United States – including here in Blaine County – of voting machines flipping selections. Check your ballot closely to make sure it reflects your preferences before putting it in the optical scanner when you are done voting.

YOU CAN REQUEST A BALLOT TO COMPLETE BY HAND

In Idaho, all voting is done using paper ballots, but you have two options at the polls: Machine Voting or Oval Ballot. Most Blaine County voters use the machine option, which involves touch-screen voting. This produces a paper record that you’ll insert into an optical scanner for electronic counting. If you prefer to fill out your ballot by hand, you can request an Oval Ballot at the polling station. With this option, you mark your choices using a pen, and the completed ballot is also scanned for counting.

VOTING BOOTH SELFIES

There is no law in Idaho prohibiting you from taking a photo of your ballot or preventing you from taking a selfie while voting.

ELECTIONEERING AT POLLING LOCATIONS

No one is allowed to engage in electioneering, distribute cards or handbills, collect petition signatures, advocate for or against any candidate or measure, solicit votes, offer money or gifts, or engage in any activity that could interfere with voters’ freedom or disrupt a polling location, any building where an election is taking place, or within 250 feet of the main entrance or exit used by voters.

Let’s Swamp the Vote! Absentee voting, early voting, and voting on Election Day are all good options. Just vote!