Idaho Bill Aims to Increase Voter ID Verification at Polls

Proposed legislation would require poll workers to verify voter information before issuing ballots.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:48am

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The Idaho Senate is considering a bill that would require election poll workers to attempt to verify the identity of voters before providing them with ballots. Senate Bill 1322 would change the state's process for voter affidavits, which allow registered voters to cast ballots without showing photo ID. The bill would require affidavits to include the voter's birth date or ID number, which the election judge would need to verify against voter registration records.

Why it matters

The bill is part of an ongoing debate in Idaho over election integrity and potential voter fraud. Supporters argue the changes would shore up safeguards, while critics say voter affidavits are already heavily scrutinized and rarely used.

The details

Senate Bill 1322 would require voter affidavits to include the voter's birth date or driver's license/ID number, which election judges would need to verify against voter registration records before issuing a ballot. The bill advanced out of the Senate State Affairs Committee and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

  • The Senate State Affairs Committee advanced the bill on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The full Idaho Senate could consider the bill in the coming days.

The players

Senate Bill 1322

Legislation that would require Idaho election poll workers to attempt to verify the identity of voters before providing them with ballots.

Sen. Brian Lenney

A Nampa Republican who co-sponsored the bill and has long expressed concerns about potential fraud with voter affidavits.

Phil McGrane

Idaho Secretary of State, who testified that the bill would advance election integrity by shoring up safeguards before ballots are issued.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

To become law, Idaho bills must pass the House and Senate, and avoid the governor's veto.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate in Idaho over election integrity and potential voter fraud, with supporters arguing the bill would strengthen safeguards and critics saying voter affidavits are already heavily scrutinized.