Party Affiliation

Idaho has four recognized parties with which voters may affiliate, or voters may be unaffiliated:

1. Constitution 
2. Democratic 
3. Libertarian 
4. Republican

If you are a registered voter and do not know how you are currently affiliated, contact the Kootenai County Elections Office at 208-446-1030 or at email the Elections Office.

Change Affiliation

• The last day to change affiliation or become "Unaffiliated" is the last day a candidate may file for partisan political office prior to a primary election.
• After the primary election a voter may change affiliation or become "Unaffiliated" at any time by filling out the Party Affiliation Form (PDF).
• If you are Unaffiliated, you may affiliate with one of the four parties at any time by filling out a Party Affiliation Form (PDF) or on Election Day you may affiliate with a party in the Poll book.

2020 May Primary Election:  Party Affiliation

This is important information because party affiliation affects which ballot voters receive in the May 19, 2020 Primary Election.

Affiliation Flow Chart for the May 19, 2020 Primary Election

The purpose of primary elections in Idaho is to allow members of a recognized political party to select that party’s nominees to go on the general election ballot.

Now, Idaho has four recognized parties with which voters may affiliate, or voters can be Unaffiliated:

Constitution               Democratic                Libertarian                 Republican

If you are a registered voter and do not know how you are currently affiliated, contact the Kootenai County Elections Office at 446-1030 or kcelections@kcgov.us.  

Ballot Options

Non-Partisan candidates are listed on both Republican and Democratic ballots, as well as on a separate Non-Partisan ballot. 

Voters affiliated with any party, or Unaffiliated voters, may receive the Non-Partisan ballot only. 

The Democratic Primary is open; that means voters may have any affiliation or be Unaffiliated and still have the option of receiving a Democratic ballot. 

The Republican Primary is closed; that means voters must be affiliated as a Republican to have the option of receiving the Republican ballot.

Important Deadline

March 13, 2020 was the last day to change your affiliation from one of the four parties to another party, or from one of the four parties to Unaffiliated.   Beginning March 14, affiliated voters may not change affiliation until after the May 19 Primary Election.  

If you are Unaffiliated, you may affiliate with one of the four parties at any time (including Election Day) by filling out a Party Affiliation Form.