Idaho’s general election on Tuesday drew a historic number of voters, with the Secretary of State reporting a record‑high 731,980 ballots cast. Initial data suggest that roughly 69% of registered voters turned out, eclipsing the 2018 midterm turnout of 66.5%.
Long lines in Canyon County
In the state’s second‑most populated county, Canyon County, voting extended into the early hours of Wednesday. The last ballot was cast at 12:20 a.m., and some voters waited in line for more than four hours. Secretary of State Phil McGrane praised the patience and kindness of those voters, noting the sense of community evident at the polls.
McGrane explained that voters who were in line by the 8 p.m. deadline could still cast their ballots after polls closed. He also acknowledged the frustration caused by the long waits and promised that officials will work to prevent similar delays in future elections.
Key drivers of turnout
One of the most motivating factors was Proposition 1, a statewide ballot initiative seeking to repeal Idaho’s near‑total abortion ban. Nearly 99% of voters cast a ballot on the measure, the highest participation of any statewide race. The initiative was rejected, with about 56% voting “no.” Political scientist Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University said the high engagement on Proposition 1 likely drew many voters to the polls.
Kettler added that Idaho voters tend to care deeply about abortion and reproductive‑health issues, and that both pro‑life and pro‑choice advocates campaigned vigorously.
Republican strength holds steady
Despite a national “blue wave” that saw Democrats take control of Congress and many state legislatures, Idaho remained solidly Republican. All incumbent Republicans in statewide offices and the state’s congressional delegation were easily re‑elected. Kettler noted that Idaho’s political landscape makes competitive races rare.
Democrats did make modest gains, picking up six seats in the state Legislature and gaining full control of three swing districts, though the chamber remains under a Republican super‑majority.
County‑by‑county results
Turnout varied across the state. Rural Butte County reported an estimated 85.1% turnout, while Madison County saw about 56.8%. Ada County, the most populated, recorded roughly 74.6% turnout with more than 232,000 voters casting ballots.
In Canyon County, about 79,000 of the 119,000 registered voters participated, yielding a turnout just under 66%. County officials cited limited polling‑place space and the length of the ballot—four pages—as contributing factors to the long lines.
Looking ahead
Election results will be certified by the State Board of Canvassers on Nov. 24. The Secretary of State’s office plans a random draw to select counties for post‑election audits. McGrane also expects the overall turnout rate to dip slightly as his office processes roughly 43,000 voters who registered on Election Day.
Officials are already evaluating whether Canyon County needs additional polling locations. The county has increased its precinct count from 64 to 51 since the pandemic, and further adjustments may be considered to improve voting access in future elections.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
