By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
We Need YOU to Register and Vote!
Christmas has presents. Easter has eggs. Halloween has trick-or-treating. And National Voter Registration Day? It offers the best gift you can give your future self: a current voter registration.
This year, National Voter Registration Day falls on September 16. As Idaho’s Election Nerd in Chief, it’s one of my favorite days of the year when we celebrate civic engagement. The day was recognized in 2012 to help ensure Americans who are eligible to vote know how to register. Read on to learn more about how you can participate in the holiday.
Step One: Start With Yourself
Life changes fast. If you’ve moved (even across town), changed your name, or just haven’t thought about voting in a while, now is a good time to update your registration. It’s easy to check your status at VoteIdaho.gov, and if you have an Idaho driver’s license or free state ID, you can register or update your info online in just a few clicks.
Know a new grad? A first-time voter? A friend who keeps saying they’ll “get around to it”? Point them to VoteIdaho.gov to register. In Idaho, all you need is a photo ID and proof of residence. If you have a current Idaho driver’s license, that works for both required forms of documentation.
Step Three: Put your Voice into Action
Registration is just the beginning. Once you’re registered:
- Learn about upcoming elections at VoteIdaho.gov (we have important local elections on November 4, 2025!)
- Review sample ballots before voting
- Make a voting plan by taking advantage of your local early voting options or finding your polling location for Election Day
Local elections particularly matter because they have a direct impact on your daily life. These local races determine who fixes your roads, sets your property taxes, and leads your school districts. Your voice carries enormous weight in local elections, but only if you use it.
What’s in a Name? Maybe More Than You Think.
Participation in elections is important, but not all demographics show up to the polls in equal number. We took a closer look at voter turnout in Idaho by first name, and the results are both fun and telling.
If your name is Barton, Susie, or Lon, you’re in good company. Voter turnout for Idahoans with those names is nearly 100%. Names like Hudson, Asher, and Anika? Turnout is closer to 60%. The good news? It’s never too late to register and cast your ballot, whether you’re 18 or 81.
So here’s your challenge this National Voter Registration Day: check your own registration, then tag a Rylie, nudge a Harrison, or send this chart to your friend Makenna. Let’s register, and vote, Idaho.
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
