By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief
“Considering there wasn’t a lot of activity in certain parts of the state, 30% for a primary feels good. Of course, we’d always love to see more people participate in the primaries. We know the general election will be a higher turnout.” — Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane
A voter casts his ballot during the May 19, 2026, primary election at Emerson High School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
About 30% of Idaho voters turned out for 2026 primary election, early data shows
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
Roughly 30.3% of Idaho’s registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary election for state legislative, statewide, congressional and county officials, according to initial figures from state election officials.
That is slightly above the median voter turnout for primary elections since 2000, which was about 28.1% voter turnout, according to the Idaho Capital Sun’s analysis of turnout data reported by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
Check out our interactive Idaho map to see what voter turnout was like in your county!
“I voted” stickers sit ready for voters during the May 19, 2026, primary election at The Waterfront in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Independent challenger calls on Risch to do three public debates ahead of Idaho’s general election
By Laura Guido
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Todd Achilles announced Wednesday he’s calling for incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Risch to do a series of public debates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Risch won his Republican primary contest Tuesday night with nearly 67% of the vote over three challengers, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. He will go on to face Achilles, independent Natalie Fleming, Democrat David Roth, and Libertarian Matt Loesby.
Congress has before it the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which would enable Medicare to cover simple blood tests and expand access to early detection. (Photo illustration by Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
Idaho families are paying the price of late Alzheimer’s diagnoses, but ASAP Act could help
By Joshua Reams
Giving people access to early detection is not just compassionate policy, it’s smart economics, writes guest columnist Joshua Reams.
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Preliminary FBI data shows a sharp drop in violent crime | Amanda Watford
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
Boise State Public Radio: Moderates claw back some legislative seats from far-right Idaho Republicans
Bonner County Daily Bee: DEQ awards Sandpoint $40.5 million in wastewater funding
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