Election Day 2022: Ballots, registration and FAQs
Looking to vote on May 17 as all legislative seats are up for vote due to the recent redistricting prompted by the 2020 Census. To help you with voting information, the Idaho Secretary of State has posted the following information — and more — on its website.
Polls open
All Election Day polling places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A complete list of the polling sites can be found on the Bonner County Elections website, bit.ly/2Wh65iH
How to register to vote?
If you are 18 years or older, lived in Bonner County for a minimum of 30 days and are a U.S. citizen you will need to be a registered voter before you can vote in the May election. For more information on registering, call or visit the clerk at 208-255-3631; via email at elections@bonnercountyid.gov; or by stopping by the office, Bonner County Administration Building, 1500 U.S. 2, Suite 125.
How do I vote absentee?
• To request an absentee ballot and check the status of a request, go online to voteidaho.gov/ or you download a PDF absentee request form.
• The request can be dropped off, mailed, emailed, or faxed to the Elections Office. The last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot is May 6 at 5 p.m.
Ballot questions
• The ballot question submission deadline was March 18. Political subdivisions were required to submit ballot
language to the county clerk for any bond, levy, initiative, referendum, or other question to be
placed on the ballot for the May 17 primary (Idaho Code 34-106)
Voter registration deadline
The deadline to register to vote was April 22, 2022 However, voters can register to vote at the polls on Election Day if they are not already registered to vote.
Per Idaho Code 34-408, regular voter registration is currently closed until the day after the upcoming election. Any regular voter registrations received will be held by the county clerk until then. However, election day registration will be available at your precinct polling location. If you wish to register to vote on election day, you must appear in person at your precinct polling location with proof of identity and address, per Idaho Code 34-408A.
• Go online to voteidaho.gov to register to vote
Early voting
• Early voting will be available at the Bonner County Elections Office starting May 2, 2022 through May 13, 2022. Early voting hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sample ballots
• Sample ballots were available starting the last week of March for the May 17 primary election.
Logic and accuracy test
• The logic and accuracy test is open to the public and will be on Wednesday May 11, at 10 a.m. Location will be in the first floor conference room at the Bonner County Administration Building, 1500 U.S. 2, Sandpoint.
Where do I vote?
What will I need to vote?
You will need a valid identification, such an Idaho driver's license or identification card or sign an affidavit.
For further information, see the “Voter Education Video Gallery” at www.voteidaho.gov for education videos including absentee ballots, voter registration, ballot tabulation, election certification and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
(According to the Bonner County Elections office on its website)
• How do I vote?
To be a voter in Bonner County you must register with the Bonner County Elections Department at 1500 U.S. 2, Suite 124, Sandpoint. You can register at the office, register online, or fill out a registration card online, and drop off or mail a filled out voter registration card. Be advised that the voter registration form cannot be emailed or faxed because Idaho Code requires your original signature.
• What if I cannot make it to my polling place on Election Day?
You may fill out an absentee request at Vote Idaho to have a ballot mailed to you. Printable forms are available on our Absentee Voting page. Completed forms may be emailed, faxed, mailed, or dropped off at the Elections Department.
• Are there any other ways to vote besides at my polling place or by a mailed absentee ballot?
Yes, early voting at the Elections Department is available. Early voting will occur for two weeks prior to the election. Early voting closes at 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
• When do polling place locations change?
Polling places may change permanently due to lack of availability at the current polling place and when precinct boundaries are moved. A polling place may also change temporarily due to construction, emergencies, or a schedule conflict. In any event written notice is given to all registered voters in the precincts affected.
• How are polling places selected?
We check to see what facilities are available in a specific precinct. We then look for accessibility, parking, fees and do they have enough space.
• How do I find out who's running?
At the close of filing, we post the candidates and their contact information on our website. Contact the Elections Department at 208-255-3631 for more information.
• How do I find out what is on the ballot? Do I get to vote on everything?
Sample ballots are posted on our website 30 to 45 days before each election. What a voter is eligible to vote on is determined by where you live and the taxing district boundaries you live within. Call the Elections Department at 208-255-3631 for more information.
• How do I find out when there is an election?
There are four possible elections each year. The specific dates for each election are posted on the Elections website. Contact the Elections Department at 208-255-3631 for more information.
• Does the County provide a voter's guide?
The County does not provide a voter's guide. We do offer candidate contact information and sample ballots, both in our office and on our website. The local newspaper tends to run information regarding candidates and/or issues on the ballot.
• I am in the military how do I request a ballot? How does my spouse request a ballot?
Military and their spouses and Overseas Citizens can use the Federal Post Card Application for registration and absentee voting. For more information, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website or call the Elections Office at 208-255-3631.
• Does Idaho have permanent absentee status for its voters?
No, absentee ballots must be requested on a calendar year basis.
• Will my mailed absentee ballot be counted if it arrives after Election Day?
No, absentee ballots must be to the Elections Department by 8 p.m. on Election Day for the ballot to be counted.
• Do poll workers receive training?
In Bonner County poll workers receive training prior to every election. Learn more on our Poll Workers page.
• What does the election staff do when it's not election time?
The Elections Department performs other functions related to elections such as the certification of initiative and referendum petitions. There are always projects we are working on to better improve the efficiency of our department. Learn more on our duties of the Elections Department page.
• How do I change my party affiliation?
Party Affiliation change forms are available at the Elections Department and on the Party Affiliation page of our website. Completed forms may be emailed, faxed, mailed, or dropped off at the Elections Department. The deadline to charge your affiliation was March 11.
• How do I get off your mailing list?
The Elections Department does not regularly mail out information. However, your mailing address can be requested by candidates and other entities as it is public record. To prohibit this, you would have to be removed from our voter registration database. In order to cancel your registration, you would need to request in person or in writing. Contact the Elections Department at 208-255-3631 for more information.
• Is my voting information public record?
Yes. All information on your voter registration card is public record with the following exceptions:
• Date of birth
• Driver's license number
• Last four digits of your Social Security number
Party affiliation and voting history are also public record.
Please note that while the Elections Department does keep track of what elections you vote in, we do not keep track of who or what you voted for.
If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns you can contact the Bonner County Elections Department at 208-255-3631 or email us at elections@bonnercountyid.gov .