Idaho Voters Now Need Phone Check for Affidavit Ballots

Idaho voters who arrive at the polls without identification must now complete a phone verification step before receiving a ballot. This change, implemented under Senate Bill 1322, adds a specific check to the existing affidavit process. Voters sign a legally binding document attesting to their identity, but they can no longer skip the administrative confirmation with county staff.

Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple described the new requirement as an added burden that aims to build public confidence in the system. In Ada County, Idaho’s most populous jurisdiction, nearly 36,000 people had checked in at early voting stations as of Wednesday morning. Of that group, only a few dozen used the affidavit option instead of presenting a physical ID.

The verification process requires specific staff members with access to secure systems. Volunteers cannot perform the check because they lack the necessary permissions. Ada County Elections has allocated three staffers to handle these calls at the election headquarters. During a demonstration, election specialist Shannon Grisso showed how quickly the system retrieves voter data. He located a test name within seconds after entering only the first and last name.

Grisso explained that the clerk will confirm the voter’s date of birth and registered address with the precinct captain. This information must match exactly what the voter wrote on the affidavit form. If the details align, the voter receives a ballot. Tripple noted that the process typically takes 30 seconds to a minute, unless there is a discrepancy in the registration data.

Issues can arise if a voter was flagged in the system, such as those who pre-registered online but have not yet verified their ID or address. In those cases, the voter cannot use the affidavit to cast a ballot. Tripple stated that this limitation is consistent with previous years’ rules. He emphasized the need to follow the code while minimizing delays for voters.

Each county is responsible for managing its own verification calls for local polling sites. Tripple expects the volume of these calls to increase on Election Day. To manage the demand, the county plans to have additional staff available to process requests quickly. Voters can also verify their registration status ahead of time at voteidaho.gov.

Early voting in Idaho ends Friday at 5 p.m. Voters who register on Election Day must provide approved photo ID and proof of residence. Ada County voters can view their sample ballot on the county’s official elections website.