By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
When Election Night Is Just the Beginning: Idaho’s Post-Election Process
The election night pizza is cold and the results are in. For most of Idaho, that’s a wrap on election season. But in a few cities across the state, elections aren’t over. Round two is just getting started.
Round Two: The Runoff Election
This year, two Idaho cities are preparing for runoff elections, a “round two” triggered when no candidate wins a majority of the vote. These only happen in cities that have adopted ordinances requiring more than 50% of votes for a single candidate to win. Runoffs are typically the result of a crowded field.
Statewide, nine cities require runoffs in mayoral races. Idaho Falls is the only city that also requires a runoff for city council. This year, Idaho Falls voters will return to the polls for a mayor and city council runoff, while Pocatello residents will decide their mayor in a head-to-head race.
Ensuring Accuracy: Canvassing the Vote
Before any results become official, each election must go through a canvass. Think of the canvass as a comprehensive quality check. County clerks compare precinct totals against ballot counts, verify that all paperwork is complete, and ensure no discrepancies exist in the numbers. The commissioners then review this work and certify the results as official. This must happen within 9 days of the election.
This step is crucial for election integrity. It’s one of the key ways that Idaho ensures elections are accurate, which is one of the pillars of Idaho’s 12 Principles of Idaho Elections.
Close Call: When Recounts Come into Play
Some of this year’s races were close enough to qualify for a free recount. Under Idaho law, if the margin is less than or equal to 0.1% of total votes cast or five votes, (whichever is greater) a candidate may request one. The window for recount requests opens once results have been officially canvassed.
Recounts must be conducted publicly within 10 days of the order, with candidates or their representatives present to observe.
The Bigger Picture
Idaho’s post-election process — from runoffs to recounts to canvassing — is designed to uphold accuracy and transparency at every step. These checks and balances help ensure that voters can have full confidence in the final results.
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.
