FAQs

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.

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Elections

Show All Answers

1. How do I vote?: To be a voter in Kootenai County you must register with the Kootenai County Elections Department at 1808 North 3rd Street, Coeur d'Alene. 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 Law requires your original signature.

2. Can registration cards be obtained anywhere else?: Yes, you can find registration cards at the Department of Motor Vehicles and most City Halls or you can Register Online. Contact the Elections Department at 208-446-1030 for more information.

3. 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.

4. 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. Depending on the size of the election, early voting will occur for two to four weeks prior to the election. Early voting closes at 5 p.m. the Friday before election day.

5. 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. Look up your current polling place.

6. 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 amount of space. Visit our polling place page for more information.

7. 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 208-446-1030 for more information.

8. 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 208-446-1030 for more information.

9. How do I find out when there is an election?: There are four possible elections each year. The specific dates for each election is posted on the homepage of our website. Contact the Elections department at 208-446-1030 for more information.

10. 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.

11. 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 208-446-1030.

12. Does Idaho have permanent absentee status for its voters?: No, absentee ballots must be requested on a calendar year basis.

13. 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.

14. Do poll workers receive training?: In Kootenai County poll workers receive training prior to every Election. Learn more on our Poll Workers page.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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 208-446-1030 for more information.

18. Is my voting information public record?

Yes. All information on your voter registration card is public record with the following exceptions:

Month and Day 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

While we do keep track of what elections you vote in, we do not keep track of who or what you voted for, as all ballots are secret and not tied to your voter information.

19. How do candidates and/or parties get my information?: Candidates and parties can request lists of registered voters, which can only be used for political purposes. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns you can contact the Kootenai County Elections Department at 208-446-1030 or email us.