With record voter turnout expected, when can Idahoans expect 2024 general election results?

BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) — Idaho election officials will begin releasing the first unofficial election results after all the polls close in the state at 9 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday. But it may be well into Wednesday before Idahoans know the outcome of a statewide ballot issue like Proposition 1 or the closest legislative races.

“I have confidence that it’s going be a long election night,” Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in an interview Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol In Boise. “Some counties will finish quickly, others will take longer.”

McGrane said the size of the county, the equipment it uses and how many ballots it can process are all factors in how long it takes to release election results. 

Results will be released in batches throughout the night, with many counties releasing their absentee and early voting results first after polls close, McGrane said.

Just because the votes are still being counted does not mean people can continue to vote. Polls close in Idaho at 8 p.m. local time, and voters must be in line by the 8 p.m. cutoff on Election Day to vote.

When it comes to knowing the winner of the presidential election, that could take even longer. With Idaho being a deep red state where Republicans enjoy a supermajority, there is little doubt former President Donald Trump will carry Idaho.

But if the presidential election is close nationally, counting absentee ballots could be a factor in how long it takes to know who won. McGrane said several states – but not Idaho – allow voters to mail absentee ballots with the postmark date as late as Election Day, which means absentee ballots in those states won’t be received and counted until after Election Day. 

“Patience is a virtue here,” McGrane said.

All absentee ballots in Idaho must be received by county elections officials by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Idaho election results won’t be certified until later in November

It’s important to remember that the election results posted after polls close are unofficial results.

Election results do not become official in Idaho until after they are certified by the State Board of Canvassers. After the election, county election officials double check information like the number of people who voted and the number of ballots cast to make sure every ballot was counted, McGrane said. Election officials also conduct an audit of ballots from randomly selected counties.

Then, on Nov. 26, the State Board of Canvassers will meet to officially certify Idaho’s 2024 general election results, McGrane said.

Where to find Idaho election results once polls close

Once polls close, election results will be available on the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office’s voteIdaho.gov website. New for the 2024 general election, the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office is unveiling a “close races” tab on voteIdaho.gov where the system will automatically seek out and post results of the closest Idaho election races on one page, McGrane said. Grouping closed races on one tab allows Idahoans to follow the closest races in one place without having to click between different districts and races to find close races.

“Managing the posting of the results – people obviously want information quickly,” McGrane said. “We are continually trying to update how we release the results.”

The Idaho Capital Sun will also be posting and updating election results and covering the closest Idaho races after polls close at www.idahocapitalsun.com.