Best Practices for Vote By Mail in Idaho

IDAHO: SECURE VOTE BY MAIL ELECTIONS IN 2020

A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICES FOR IDAHO ELECTIONS OFFICIALS

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE 

Sightline’s state-by-state guides are designed to give local election officials and legislators the information they need to identify and take the most important steps to get ready for November. Each set of state-specific resources includes best practices and established models from around the country, including practical nuts and bolts advice for clerks, materials from election administrators with experience conducting all mail elections, and information about vendors and costs

How Idaho is prepared for Vote By Mail

• Allows early in-person voting up to three weeks before Election Day. 
• Provides a postage-prepaid return envelope for mailed ballots. 
• Allows any voter to request an absentee ballot. 
• Uses voters’ signatures to verify ballots. 
• Allows county clerks to start processing ballots upon receipt. 
• Allows voters to register and request an absentee ballot online. 
• Allows anyone to return sealed ballots in person. 

RECOMMENDED STEPS FOR SECURE ELECTIONS

Within each section, recommendations are arranged roughly in order of importance and ease of implementation.

For Local Election Officials

• Coordinate with USPS.
• Design ballots and envelopes that are easy to use.
• Implement robust signature verification.
• Provide secure drop boxes.
• Provide election day in-person voting centers for in-person voting.
• Consider using a professional printer and sorter. 
• Count ballots at a centralized, secure facility. 
• Invest in high-speed centralized equipment.

For Secretaries of State

• Use a comprehensive system to track ballots. 
• Mail absentee application forms to every registered voter.
• Notify voters of problems with their signature and give them an opportunity to cure.

For Lawmakers

• Join the Electronic Registration Information Center to keep voter lists up-to-date.
• Automatically register voters and update their addresses.
• Give voters a single sign-up option to permanently receive mailed-out ballots.
• Allow counties to accept ballots postmarked on election day. 
• Allow voters to request a replacement ballot online.
• Account for voters with non-traditional addresses.

Download the full Idaho action packet, with detailed information for each recommendation.

IDAHO’S GRADE FOR VOTE BY MAIL PREPAREDNESS = C