2021 General City Election Key Dates
2021 General City Election – Key Dates
Aug. 4 – General City Election Information Session
Aug. 23 - City Candidate Filing Opens: Candidates for city elective offices may file nomination petitions
with the city clerk beginning at 8 a.m. \[§50-410, Idaho Code\]
Sep. 3 - Nonpartisan Candidate Filing Deadline: Petitions must be filed by 5 p.m. — with the clerk of the
political subdivision — to nominate political subdivision candidates — for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-1404
and §50-410, Idaho Code\]
Sep. 10 - Nonpartisan Nominee Certification: Deadline for the clerk of the political subdivision to certify
nominees — to be placed on the ballot — for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-1404, Idaho Code\]
Sep. 10 - Nonpartisan Write-In Candidates: Deadline for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent
with clerk of the political subdivision for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-1407, Idaho Code\]
Sep. 13 - Ballot Question Submission Deadline: Political subdivisions must submit ballot language (to the
county clerk) for any bond, levy, initiative, referendum, or other question — to be placed on the ballot
— for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-106, Idaho Code\]
Sep. 17 - Recall Notification Deadline: Political subdivisions must notify the county clerk if a recall
election is ordered — for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-106(9), Idaho Code\]
Sep. 17 - Candidate Withdrawal Deadline: Last day nonpartisan candidates can withdraw from the Nov.
2 election. \[§34-1405A, Idaho Code\]
Oct. 4 - Mail Absentee Ballots: County clerks must mail absentee ballots — to voters who have
requested absentee ballots — for the Nov. 2 election. \[Secretary of State Directive 2015-1\]
Oct. 8 - Preregistration Deadline: Voter registrations must be received by the county clerk — for the
Nov. 2 election. (Deadline is postmarked by this date for mailed paper applications, 5 p.m. for paper
applications handed in to the county clerk’s office, or until midnight for online applications.) \[§34-408
and §34-410, Idaho Code\]
Oct. 18 - Early Voting Must Begin: For the Nov. 2 election in those counties that choose to conduct early
voting. \[§34-1012, Idaho Code\]
Oct. 22 - Absentee Ballot Application Deadline: Applications must be received by the county clerk by 5
p.m. — for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-1002(7), Idaho Code\]
Oct. 29 - In-Person Absentee/Early Voting Ends: At 5 p.m. — for the Nov. 2 election. \[§34-1002(7) and
§34-1012, Idaho Code\]
Nov. 2 - Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: Voted absentee ballots must be received — by the county
clerk — by 8 p.m. \[§34-1005, Idaho Code\]
Nov. 2 - Election Day: Polling places — and the county clerk’s office — to be open 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
(*County clerk may opt to open at 7 a.m.) Qualified individuals may register and vote at their designated
polling place on election day. \[§34-211, §34-408A, and §34-1101, Idaho Code\]
Nov. 12* - Election Certificates: Deadline for the clerk of the political subdivision to issue certificates of
election. (*This date may vary; to be done immediately after the county canvass.) \[§34-1410, Idaho
Code\]
Dec. 2* - Recount Applications: Deadline — for candidates and supporters/opponents of a ballot
measure, excluding city candidates and city or county ballot measures — to apply to the county clerk for
a recount of the May 18 election. Applications for a recount of city elections or county ballot measures
must be filed with the Attorney General. (*This date may vary; it must be done within 20 days of the
county canvass). \[§34-2301, Idaho Code\]
Complete list available at https://sos.idaho.gov/elections/publications/2021ElectionCalendar.pdf
Ada County Elections:
208-287-6860
https://adaweb.net