By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
Highlights from the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office
November 21, 2025
Ensuring Every Vote is Counted
This week, a discrepancy was discovered in Elmore County where the number of ballots counted did not match the number of voters who voted. Our Office immediately partnered with Elmore County Clerk, Shelley Essl, the Elmore County Prosecuting Attorney, the Sheriff, and the Attorney General’s Office to address the issue. At Clerk Essl’s request, we are sending a team to Elmore County to conduct a hand count of all ballots, ensuring the will of voters is accurately reflected in the final results and that Idahoans can have confidence that every vote counts.
Safeguards Built into Idaho Elections
This situation is a strong reminder of the safeguards built into Idaho elections. We plan and prepare for everything to run smoothly before, during, and after Election Day. But as I often say, elections are the biggest single-day event in Idaho. We’re inviting over one million of our closest friends to participate in nearly 1,000 polling locations across the state. With an operation of this scale, challenges will arise. That’s why our safeguards matter.
In 2024, every County Clerk in Idaho signed on to our 12 Principles of Idaho Elections, a shared commitment to transparency, security, and accuracy. Here are a few important things to remember:
- Idaho Votes on Paper. Every single vote in Idaho is cast on a paper ballot. That paper trail is our official record. When questions arise, we go back to the paper.
- We Audit. After every Primary and General Election in even-numbered years, we randomly select counties and precincts to conduct post-election audits. These hand counts are compared with reported results and publicly posted to ensure accuracy.
- We Support our Counties. A common question I receive is: What does the Secretary of State’s Office do on Election Day? On Election Day, and every day, we support Idaho’s 44 county clerks. When tough questions or unusual circumstances arise, we’re there to help.
We’ve already been on the ground in Elmore County and when we return next week, we’ll ensure every ballot is properly accounted for. This process is about getting it right, not just for Elmore County, but for every Idahoan who casts a vote and expects it to count.
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.
