BOISE, Idaho — With social distancing requirements, this month's primary has become Idaho's first absentee ballot election, and it has had its share of challenges. A federal judge recently ruled that, despite Idaho's best efforts to educate voters, election officials failed to explain to people how to request their absentee ballots adequately. There were also a few computer glitches along the way.
The deadline for ballots to be returned has been extended to June 2 as a result. What this means is if you are one of the voters who have received your ballot but have not yet voted, it is best not to mail it in, because it probably won't arrive in time to be counted. Instead, counties have set up drop off locations.
"All the way up to 8 pm on June 2, we have a drop box available," said Phil McGrane, Ada County Clerk. "People can drop them off here at 400 Benjamin Lane, which is the elections headquarters. There are people who have been dropping them off as well as mailing them in up to this point."
To help everyone meet the deadline, Ada County has added a second drop off location in addition to the one named above. That one is at the "Early Votes" trailer in the parking lot of the Ada County Courthouse at 200 West Front Street in Boise. Officials are accepting ballots at that location from 8 am to 5 pm.
If you are looking for a drop off location and you live outside Ada County, call your local county elections office for the time and place.
