Your procrastinator's guide to today's general election + Idahoans invited to Andrus 'History Harvest'

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

Voters cast their ballots for the May 19, 2026, primary election at Fox Hollow Elementary School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

ELECTION 2026

Today is Election Day in Idaho. Here’s what you need to know to cast your ballot.

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Even though the president isn’t on the ballot this year, it’s still a big election year for the state.

All statewide offices — such as the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state superintendent, state controller and state treasurer — are up for grabs, along with three congressional seats in the U.S. House and Senate, and all 105 state legislative seats. So are local races like for county commissioners, highway district officials, magistrate judges and even a runoff election for an Ada County judge.

But perhaps the biggest race this year is Proposition 1, a ballot initiative that would end the state’s abortion ban and establish reproductive rights. That’s one of several ballot measures that voters can decide on, along with a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow only the Legislature to legalize drugs, such as marijuana, which is called HJR 4; a constitutional amendment that would declare English as the state’s official language, which is called HJR 6; and an advisory question that solicits a public vote to declare a state gun.

ICYMI: COVERAGE ON 2026 CANDIDATES AND BALLOT MEASURES

Risch v. Achilles may be Idaho’s most active US Senate race in years. Here’s where they stand. | Laura Guido
US District 1 candidates: Idahoans face high healthcare costs. Here’s how they want to fix it. | Laura Guido
Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they’re worried about high cost of living | Laura Guido
Pickens, Stegner pledge policy changes in Idaho gubernatorial candidate forum | Clark Corbin
In race for Idaho attorney general, a Democrat is trying to unseat a long-time Republican official | Kyle Pfannenstiel
The race for Idaho’s top election official, the secretary of state, is a rematch | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho state controller’s race: Former state evaluator challenges GOP incumbent in general election | Clark Corbin
Idaho treasurer candidates have differing state investment mindsets | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Passing HJR 4 would give Idaho Legislature sole authority to legalize marijuana, other drugs | Clark Corbin
English is already Idaho’s official language. Voters can add it to the state’s constitution. | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho voters can help pick the state’s official gun in 2026 general election | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Idaho’s top officials keep getting these common election questions. Here’s the answers to your FAQs. | Laura Guido

U.S. Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho, (left) stands next to Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus in 1975. (Photo courtesy of the Special Collections and Archives, Albertsons Library, Boise State University)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Public invited to bring items, photos, stories to ‘Andrus for Idaho: History Harvest’ event at BSU

By Christina Lords

The “Andrus for Idaho: History Harvest” event, hosted by the Boise State University Andrus Center, includes several panel discussions and presentations from some of the people who knew Andrus best, as well as an “Antiques Roadshow”-style History Harvest, which encourages Idahoans to bring in photos, memorabilia, artifacts, letters and oral histories from Andrus’ time in office to have them documented and archived.

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

US Supreme Court rejects Trump DOJ’s attempt to freeze California vote counting | Jonathan Shorman

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

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

East Idaho News: First of its kind, INL receives $7 million grant to test next-generation nuclear fuel
Idaho EdNews: Sen. Lenney to challenge Anthon for top Senate leadership post
Idaho News 6: Proposed data center near Declo, Idaho, sparks mixed reactions among residents in rural farming town
Idaho Press: Nampa receives record $43 million grant for new railroad overpass
Idaho State Journal: Solar and wind ban could end as Bannock County council advances land use rewrite with conditions

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