Election ballots in eight counties to be audited + schools reduce staff amid rising costs, enrollment declines

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

“In the elections business, it’s one of the most common questions we get. ‘Why should I vote? It doesn’t really matter.’ Well, these audits will show that it does matter, and that every vote really does make a difference.” — Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane

Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf picks numbered tiles representing counties to be audited following the primary election at a meeting on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

ELECTION 2026

Idaho election officials randomly pick eight counties for primary election audits

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Idaho election officials on Friday randomly selected eight counties — including rural counties and two in the state’s population center — to undergo audits of paper ballots after the May primary election.

Plucking numbered tiles that were jumbled inside a metal tumbler, Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf picked each county that is slated to be audited.

Lara Stone, trustee for Blaine County School District and the 2025 ISBA Board Chair of the Year, listens to House Speaker Mike Moyle answer questions at the ISBA Day on the Hill on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at the Lincoln Auditorium in Boise. (Photo by Sean Dolan/EdNews)

EDUCATION

Idaho schools reduce staff amid rising costs, enrollment declines

By Ryan Suppe

Public schools across Idaho will have fewer teachers and staff members this fall amid declining enrollment and rising costs, writes Idaho EdNews reporter Ryan Suppe.

The U.S. Postal Service on May 29, 2026 proposed a rule to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Trump ordered limits on voting by mail. The Postal Service is moving to make states comply.

By Jonathan Shorman

The U.S. Postal Service on Friday took its first major step to carry out President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, proposing a rule that would require states to submit lists of voters before mailing ballots.

President Donald Trump gives a speech at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund blocked for now by federal judge

By Jonathan Shorman

A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with a fund that opponents fear will be used to pay off the president’s political allies.

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Idaho State Police transport 30 more immigrants from prison to ICE for deportation | Laura Guido
The government is paying Idahoans who got sick after nuclear bomb tests. Here’s how some get proof. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho Secretary of State’s Office investigated more than 40 campaign complaints before primary | Laura Guido
Federal official tells Idaho lawmakers there’s ‘no leeway’ in awarding rural health funds | Laura Guido
Songwriter Josh Ritter to headline Idaho America250 celebration in Boise | Clark Corbin
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Idahoans complete 250,000 — and counting — acts of service | Christina Lords

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Bonner County Daily Bee: Sundquist sworn in as Kootenai interim mayor
Coeur d’Alene Press: Mental health service cuts stress resources
Idaho EdNews: ‘The people spoke’: Kimberly trustees dissect bond, levy failures
KMVT: Twin Falls Canal Company reduces water deliveries amid drought
KTVB: Wildfire burning southwest of Marsing, no evacuations issued

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