Voters across Idaho head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to decide a sweeping general election ballot that features every statewide office, high-profile legislative contests, and critical local fee renewals. Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30, and eligible residents can still register to vote at the polls on Election Day with a photo ID and proof of residence, idahostatesman.com reported.
For Ada County residents, a sample ballot is available online through Ada County Elections, while polling places can be located directly via the Ada County polling place finder. The ballot before voters this year carries heavy policy weight, spanning reproductive freedom, constitutional amendments, legislative power over drug laws, and local transportation funding.
Proposition 1 and Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot
The most intensely debated measure on the 2026 ballot is Proposition 1, which aims to rewrite Idaho’s strict abortion laws and protect broader reproductive healthcare.
The second amendment would restrict the power to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances exclusively to the Legislature, effectively barring citizen initiatives like past medical cannabis push efforts. Rounding out the non-binding advisory questions, voters are being asked to select a state gun from six historical options chosen by House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Meridian.
Federal and Statewide Office Contests
In the U.S. House, Republican incumbents Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher defend seats in districts where the GOP has maintained a firm grip since 2010. Simpson seeks a 15th two-year term against Democratic newcomer Ellie Gilbreath, Libertarian Will Johanson, and independents Emre Houser and Tripp Charles Hutchinson. Fulcher seeks a fifth term, challenged by Democrat Kaylee Peterson, Constitution Party candidate Brendan Gomez, and independent Sarah Zabel.
Republicans have controlled every statewide office in Idaho for two decades. Brad Little seeks a third term, facing Democrat Terri Pickens, independent former Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner, Libertarian Paul Sand, and Pro-Life of the Constitution Party. Contested races also run across lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state controller, treasurer, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction.
Ada County Races and Highway District Fee Extension
All of Ada County’s legislative seats are up for election. The lone competitive “purple” spot is District 15 on Boise’s western edge, where Democratic Rep. Steve Berch faces Republican Steve Keyser, and Republican Rep. Dori Healey faces Democrat Jae Etchart. The open District 15 Senate race features Democrat Nancy Gregory and Republican Desi Burbank.
Local governance decisions extend to Ada County Commission seats, the assessor race, an open coroner contest between former two-term coroner Dotti Owens and Chief Deputy Coroner Brett Harding, and an open treasurer position. Meanwhile, Ada County Highway District (ACHD) commissioners now run by zone but are elected countywide, drawing heavy attention to the District 3 race between Sean Sundwall and Miranda Gold.
Voters are also deciding whether to extend an infrastructure registration fee originally approved in 1990. Paid annually at rates between $24 and $40 based on vehicle age, the surcharge generates roughly $14.1 million annually, accounting for about 5.5% of the highway district’s budget. If approved, the fee continues unchanged through 2046; if rejected, the funding stream will sunset in 2028.
