Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane and county clerks from from across the state discuss steps they take to make Idaho elections easy, accurate and secure on Sept. 25 at the Idaho State Capitol. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
Election officials from across the state gathered on the front steps of the Idaho State Capitol in Boise on Wednesday to publicly pledge that elections are secure and encourage Idahoans to vote in the Nov. 5 general election.
During the event, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane unveiled a letter to voters signed by all 44 county clerks pledging to make voting in Idaho easy, secure and accurate.
“As the elected leaders responsible for conducting elections in every corner of our great state, we are united in a shared commitment to ensuring the accessibility, integrity and security of Idaho’s elections,” the letter states. “While each county in Idaho may differ in size, geography and population, one thing remains constant: your right to a secure and transparent elections process.”
About 25 county clerks attended the gathering on the Statehouse steps, where elections officials highlighted steps they take to secure Idaho elections, including testing the accuracy of vote tabulation equipment before Election Day, the use of paper ballots, ensuring equipment that is used to count the ballots is not connected to the internet and post-election audits.
“Something that I was surprised to find that most people don’t know is prior to every single election there is logic and accuracy testing of those machines – prior to every single election – to make sure that the machines that have been vetted and tested are still working accurately,” Bannock County Clerk Jason Dixon said.
Bannock County clerk Jason Dixon gives remarks during a press conference on the Idaho Statehouse steps in Boise. (Courtesy of the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office)
During Wednesday’s event, election officials encouraged Idahoans to vote with confidence.
“Today one of the things that we wanted to share was our commitment to secure and accessible elections,” McGrane said.
To register to vote, request an absentee ballot, find out which legislative district you live in, view your sample ballot or request directions to your polling place, visit VoteIdaho.gov. The deadline to register to vote online before the election is Oct. 11. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 25. Early voting begins Oct. 21. Polls will be open for in-person voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Election Day Nov. 5. Voters are allowed to register to vote and vote at their polling place on Election Day.
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