Idaho voters had until Tuesday to request absentee ballots

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho voters will now have until Tuesday to request their absentee ballots, according to a new Idaho federal court ruling Friday night.

All voters who submitted a request that arrived at Ada County Elections after the previous May 19 deadline will be issued a ballot, along with any additional requests received before May 26 at 8 p.m, according to a press release from the Ada County Clerk's office.

The Idaho Statesman reports the ruling is a response to a series of problems the Idaho Votes website encountered in processing last-minute requests on Tuesday.

Chief Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck said voters had two options: download and email the form or drive it down to their county clerk's office by 8 p.m. that night. That afternoon, the Idaho Secretary of State's Office announced it did not have plans to extend the deadline to request a ballot.

Republican congressional candidate, Nicholas Jones, responded by filing a lawsuit against Idaho Secretary of State Lawrence Denney asking for the deadline to be extended into the following week.

The June 2 deadline for ballots to be returned to Elections will remain unchanged.

Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane said in the news release there are unavoidable logistical challenges that the offices face in mailing ballots to voters prior to the June 2 deadline to vote.

He warns many voters who request a ballot in this extended window will likely receive their ballot in the mail just before or on June 2.

"Based on this narrow timeline, the only way to guarantee our office receives the ballot for counting is to physically deliver it to the drop box at our Elections office before 8 p.m. on June 2," said McGrane.

Voters may request a ballot online at Idahovotes.gov or by completing the paper form. Voters may submit a scanned copy or photo of the form. A handwritten request which includes a statement asking for a ballot, the voter's name, registered address and signature is also acceptable.

Ada County voters may email the signed form directly to elections@adacounty.id.gov or use the drop box in front of the Elections Office, located at 400 N. Benjamin Lane, Boise. Idaho residents in other counties can look up their county clerk office at the Idaho voted website.

The county warns any requests for a ballot sent by mail will miss the Tuesday deadline.