Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots in Idaho, 2020
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In August 2020, The New York Times estimated that 80 million Americans would vote by absentee/mail-in ballot in November 2020. That would have been more than double the number who did so in November 2016.[1] The processes states use to count absentee/mail-in ballots have come under closer inspection by state officials, candidates, political parties, and the media.
This article describes the rules in Idaho for processing, counting, and rejecting absentee/mail-in ballots in effect for the November 2020 election. It includes:
- How ballots are processed and counted
- Whether ballots can be challenged
- Conditions for rejecting a ballot
- Whether voters can correct mistakes on a ballot
The 2020 election took place against a backdrop of uncertainty. Our readers had questions about what to expect in elections at all levels of government, from the casting of ballots to the certification of final results. Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk was designed to answer those questions.
Processing and counting ballots
Upon receiving completed absentee/mail-in ballots, election officials must first process the ballots before they can be counted. Processing generally entails verifying voter signatures and physically preparing ballots for tabulation. Processing practices can vary widely from state to state. Counting entails the actual tabulation of votes.
The table below highlights key dates and deadlines related to absentee/mail-in voting in Idaho for the November 2020 election.
Processing ballots
As of November 2020, ballots could be processed upon receipt. Idaho law included the following provision for processing absentee/mail-in ballots:
| “ | Upon receipt of an absent elector’s ballot the county clerk of the county wherein such elector resides shall verify the authenticity of the affidavit and shall write or stamp upon the envelope containing the same, the date and hour such envelope was received in his office and record the information pursuant to section 34-1011, Idaho Code. He shall safely keep and preserve all absent electors’ ballots unopened until the time prescribed for delivery to the polls or to the central count ballot processing center.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 10 Section 34-1005
Counting ballots
Officials in Idaho began counting absentee/mail-in ballots on October 27, 2020. As of November 2020, Idaho law included the following provision for counting absentee/mail-in ballots:
| “ | In those counties that count ballots at a central location, absentee ballots that are received may, in the discretion of the county clerk, be retained in a secure place in the clerk’s office and such ballots shall be added to the precinct returns at the time of ballot tabulation. Provided, however, for any election that takes place prior to December 31, 2020, absentee ballots may be opened and scanned beginning seven (7) days prior to election day. If the absentee ballots are opened prior to election day, the ballots shall be securely maintained in a nonproprietary electronic access-controlled room under twenty-four (24) hour nonproprietary video surveillance that is livestreamed to the public and which video must be archived for at least ninety (90) days following the election. The ballots shall be boxed and secured in the same access-controlled room each day after being opened or scanned. A minimum of two (2) election officials must be present whenever absentee ballots are accessed. No results shall be tabulated for absentee ballots until the polls close on the day of the election held prior to December 31, 2020.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 10 Section 34-1007
Idaho law included the following provision for who may count absentee/mail-in ballots:
| “ | The county clerk shall appoint two (2) or more election judges, one (1) of whom shall be designated chief judge, and the number of clerks deemed necessary by him for each polling place. In the event a single polling place is designated for two (2) or more precincts, an individual may serve simultaneously on the election board for two (2) or more precincts thus served by a single polling place. The precinct committeemen shall recommend persons for the position in their respective precincts to the county clerk in writing by the fifth Friday prior to the primary election and the county clerk shall appoint the judges from such lists if the persons recommended are qualified.
(2) The chief election judge shall be responsible for the conduct of the proceedings in the polling place. Compensation for all election personnel shall be determined by the board of county commissioners at no less than the minimum wage as prescribed by the laws of the state of Idaho.[2] |
” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 3 Section 34-303
Idaho law included the following provision for poll watchers:
| “ | The county clerk shall, upon receipt of a written request, such request to be received no later than twelve (12) days prior to the day of election, direct that the election judges permit one (1) person authorized by each political party, if the election is a partisan election, to be at the polling place for the purpose of challenging voters, and shall, if requested, permit any one (1) person authorized by a candidate, several candidates or political party, to be present to serve as a watcher to observe the conduct of the election. Such authorization shall be evidenced by a writing signed by the county chairman and secretary of the political party, if the election is a partisan election, or by the candidate or candidates, and filed with the county clerk.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 3 Section 34-304
Challenging ballots
Absentee/mail-in ballots may be challenged in an attempt to prevent the ballot from being counted. Ballots may be challenged for a variety of reasons, including: allegations that the voter is not qualified to vote in the election, the ballot was not received by the stated deadline, or that the voter had already voted in the same election. The methods and reasons for challenging ballots vary and are provided in state law. States without such provisions do not allow challenging absentee/mail-in ballots.
As of November 2020, Idaho law included the following provision for challenging ballots:
| “ | At the time of any election, any registered elector may challenge the entry of an elector’s name as it appears in the election register. Such a challenge will be noted in the remarks column following the elector’s name stating the reason, such as "died," "moved," or "incorrect address." The individual making the challenge shall sign his name following the entry.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 4 Section 34-431
As of November 2020, Idaho law included the following provisions for handling challenged ballots:
| “ | The vote of any absent elector may be challenged in the same manner as other votes are challenged and the receiving judges shall have power and authority to determine the legality of such ballot. If the challenge be sustained, or if the receiving judges determine, that the affidavit accompanying the absent elector’s ballot is insufficient, or that the elector is not a qualified registered elector the envelope containing the ballot of such elector shall not be opened and the judges shall endorse on the back of the envelope the reason therefor. If an absent elector’s envelope contains more than one (1) marked ballot of any one (1) kind, none of such ballots shall be counted and the judges shall make notations on the back of the ballots the reason therefor. Judges of election shall certify in their returns the number of absent electors’ ballots cast and counted and the number of such ballots rejected.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 10 Section 34-1009
| “ | (1) No later than the ninth Friday after each election, the county clerk shall examine the election register and note the challenges as described in section 34-431, Idaho Code. The county clerk shall mail a written inquiry to the challenged elector at his mailing address as indicated on his registration card. Such inquiry shall state the nature of the challenge and provide a suitable form for reply.
(2) Within twenty (20) days from the date of mailing of the written inquiry, the elector may, in person or in writing, state that the information on his registration card is correct. Upon receipt of such a statement or request, the county clerk shall determine whether the information satisfies the challenge. If the county clerk determines that the challenge has not been satisfied, the county clerk shall schedule a hearing on the challenge and shall notify the elector of the place and time of the hearing. The hearing shall be held no later than twenty (20) days after notice is given. At the hearing, the challenged elector may present evidence of qualification. If the county clerk, upon the conclusion of the hearing, determines that the challenged elector’s registration is not valid, the county clerk shall cancel the registration. If a challenged elector fails to make the statement or request in response to the inquiry, the county clerk shall cancel the registration.[2] |
” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 4 Section 34-432
Rejecting ballots
As of November 2020, Idaho law included the following provision for rejecting absentee/mail-in ballots:
| “ | if the receiving judges determine, that the affidavit accompanying the absent elector’s ballot is insufficient, or that the elector is not a qualified registered elector the envelope containing the ballot of such elector shall not be opened and the judges shall endorse on the back of the envelope the reason therefor. If an absent elector’s envelope contains more than one (1) marked ballot of any one (1) kind, none of such ballots shall be counted and the judges shall make notations on the back of the ballots the reason therefor. Judges of election shall certify in their returns the number of absent electors’ ballots cast and counted and the number of such ballots rejected.[2] | ” |
See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 10 Section 34-1009
Ballot curing
Ballot curing refers to the process by which voters can correct mistakes—such as a missing or mismatched signature—with an absentee/mail-in ballot so that the ballot can be counted. Ballot curing provisions lay out this process in state law. States without such provisions do not count absentee/mail-in ballots with errors.[3]
As of November 2020, Idaho law did not include a provision for curing ballots.
Rules in other states
Click on a state below to view information on processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots in that state.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
More frequently asked questions about the 2020 election
Click on a question below to read the answer:
- General election information
- Who runs elections in the United States?
- Why do states have different election rules?
- What methods do states use to prevent election fraud?
- Do you have to vote for everything on your ballot?
- What happens if you mark outside the lines or use the wrong pen/pencil?
- What is a spoiled ballot?
- What is a write-in candidate?
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
- Can I take a ballot selfie?
- Presidential election
- What happens if a presidential candidate declares victory in the 2020 election before results are final?
- Can presidential candidates win the election if they have already conceded?
- What are the steps and deadlines for electing the President of the United States?
- What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College?
- What are faithless electors in the Electoral College?
- What happens if a presidential nominee becomes incapacitated before the election?
- Can members of Congress object to Electoral College results?
- Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots
- What is the life cycle of an absentee/mail-in ballot?
- What happens if I vote by mail and want to change my ballot at a later date?
- What happens if someone votes by mail and then tries to vote in person?
- How do states protect and verify absentee/mail-in ballots?
- How do election workers match signatures?
- Are results reported on election night coming from in-person or absentee/mail-in votes?
- Do states report how many mail-in/absentee ballots are outstanding on election night?
- Do absentee/mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person ballots?
- What happens if someone votes by mail-in ballot or absentee ballot and subsequently passes away before Election Day?
- Disputing election results
- How will election recounts work?
- How close does an election have to be to trigger an automatic recount?
- Can a candidate or voter request a recount?
- Who pays for recounts and contested elections?
- What are poll watchers?
- What does it mean to challenge a voter's eligibility, and who can do it?
- What is a redo election?
- Who can file election-related lawsuits?
- What are the reasons to call a redo election?
- Who can call a redo election?
- Can a redo be held for a presidential election?
- Transitions of power and taking office
- Who is the president if election results are unknown by January 20, 2021?
- Who serves in Congress if election results are unknown by January 2021?
- Who serves in a state or local government if election results are unknown?
- What happens if the winning presidential candidate becomes incapacitated before taking office?
- Articles about potential scenarios in the 2020 election
- U.S. Supreme Court actions affecting the November 3, 2020, general election
See also
- Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk
- Ballotpedia's 2020 Election Help Desk: Processing and counting absentee/mail-in ballots
- Absentee/mail-in voting, 2020
Footnotes
- ↑ The New York Times, "Where Americans Can Vote by Mail in the 2020 Elections," August 14, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "VOPP: Table 15: States That Permit Voters to Correct Signature Discrepancies," September 21, 2020
