Declarations and Petitions will not be accepted until February 26, 2018.
Any filings received prior to February 26th will be returned to the candidate.
Last Day to File - March 9, 2018 by 5 PM in the Secretary of State's Office
Declarations and Petitions received after 5 PM mountain time are late and will not be accepted for filing.
Withdrawal Deadlines:
Primary Election - March 23, 2018
General Election - September 7, 2018
Ballot Access Options:
Candidates may run as either:
A partisan candidate (i.e. affiliated with one of the recognized political parties in Idaho)
An independent candidate (i.e. no affiliation with any of the recognized political parties in Idaho)
Idaho's recognized political parties with ballot status:
Constitution Party of Idaho
Idaho Democratic Party
Libertarian Party of Idaho
Idaho Republican Party
NOTE: No other political parties have met the requirements for ballot status in Idaho.
Partisan Candidate Filing:
Partisan Candidates have two options when filing for placement on the Primary Election Ballot:
File a Declaration of Candidacy and pay the $200 filing fee.
File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petitions, containing the signatures of at least 1,000 qualified electors of the state verified prior to submission.
The Statewide Filing Packet has the necessary forms, an information sheet and instructions for completing the forms.
Signature Collection - Each petition signature sheet must:
Contain the signatures of qualified electors from only ONE county.
Be verified by the County Clerk prior to being filed with the Secretary of State.
Independent Candidate Filing:
Independent Candidates have only one option when filing for placement on the General Election Ballot:
File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petitions, containing the signatures of at least 1,000 qualified electors of the state verified prior to submission.
Signature Collection - Each petition signature sheet must:
Contain the signatures of qualified electors from only ONE county.
Be verified by the County Clerk prior to being filed with the Secretary of State.
Where to File:
Mailing Address:
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
Elections Division
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Shipping Address (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.):
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
Elections Division
450 N 4th Street
Boise, ID 83702
Personal Delivery:
Idaho Secretary of State's Office
State Capitol
700 W Jefferson, Ste E205
Boise, ID 83702
Note: Declaration of Candidacy forms may be scanned and emailed or faxed after completion. However, signature petition sheets may not be emailed or scanned. The original petition sheets with the county certifications must be submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.