How to run in Idaho, 2028

What it takes to get on Idaho's 2028 ballot for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or President, from the state's election office and laws.

U.S. House

Who can run

At least 25 years old
A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Living in the state when elected (the Constitution doesn't require living in the district)

Getting on the Idaho ballot

Where to file	Idaho Secretary of State, Elections Division (700 W Jefferson Street, Suite E-205, Boise).
When	8:00 a.m. on the thirteenth Monday before the primary through 5:00 p.m. on the twelfth Friday before the primary: February 21 - February 25, 2028, for the May 16, 2028 primary (third Tuesday in May). (expected: follows state law; the 2028 calendar isn't published yet)
How	File a declaration of candidacy with the Secretary of State during the filing period. Party candidates declare their party and submit a party affiliation form with the declaration; the filing official rejects a partisan primary declaration from a candidate not affiliated with a party. Pay the filing fee or attach a nominating petition in lieu of the fee; petition signatures must be verified by the county clerk before filing.
Fee	$300.
Petition instead	In lieu of the fee: a nominating petition signed by 500 qualified electors of the congressional district (Idaho Code 34-626).

Who can run

Getting on the Idaho ballot

Where to file	Idaho Secretary of State, Elections Division (700 W Jefferson Street, Suite E-205, Boise).
When	8:00 a.m. on the thirteenth Monday before the primary through 5:00 p.m. on the twelfth Friday before the primary: February 21 - February 25, 2028, for the May 16, 2028 primary (third Tuesday in May). (expected: follows state law; the 2028 calendar isn't published yet)
How	File a declaration of candidacy with the Secretary of State during the filing period. Party candidates declare their party and submit a party affiliation form with the declaration. Pay the filing fee or attach a nominating petition in lieu of the fee; petition signatures must be verified by the county clerk before filing.
Fee	$500.
Petition instead	In lieu of the fee: a nominating petition signed by 1,000 qualified electors of the state (Idaho Code 34-626).

Who can run: At least 35 years old; A natural-born U.S. citizen; A U.S. resident for at least 14 years (U.S. Constitution).

How	Idaho law currently has no state-run presidential primary: the election-code chapter on nominations (Title 34, Chapter 7) contains no presidential primary section, and the former provision (Idaho Code 34-731) no longer appears. Presidential nominating contests are therefore run by the political parties (for example, party caucuses), with no candidate filing with the state. A 2026 bill to restore a presidential primary (H0638) passed the House on March 9, 2026, but shows no Senate action or enactment on the Legislature's bill page. For the general election ballot, each party's state chairman certifies the party's candidates for President, Vice President and presidential electors to the Secretary of State (Idaho Code 34-711).
Where	Party-run contests: the political parties. Party nominee certification: Idaho Secretary of State, by the party's state chairman.
When	Party certification of President, Vice President and electors due on or before September 1, 2028; the Secretary of State may grant a five-day extension (Idaho Code 34-711). (expected: follows state law)
Fee	None for party certification.
Petition	None for party nominees.

Sources: legislature.idaho.gov · Idaho Code § 34-711 · legislature.idaho.gov (2)

How	File a declaration of candidacy stating that the candidate has no political party affiliation, accompanied by a nominating petition. Signatures are verified as provided in Idaho Code 34-1807, on a form similar to the recall petition form; petition circulators need not be Idaho residents. The candidate then certifies the vice-presidential running mate and the presidential electors to the Secretary of State.
Where	Idaho Secretary of State.
When	Declaration and petition due by August 1, 2028; signatures must be verified by September 1, 2028, when the Secretary of State certifies the candidate's qualifications (Idaho Code 34-708A). Vice-presidential running mate and electors certified on or before September 1, 2028 (five-day extension possible) (Idaho Code 34-711A). (expected: follows state law)
Fee	None stated in Idaho Code 34-708A.
Petition	Signed by 1,000 qualified electors (Idaho Code 34-708A).
Also	The running mate and elector slate are certified separately from the August 1 declaration, by September 1 (Idaho Code 34-711A). The Secretary of State certifies independent electors and the independent presidential and vice-presidential candidates to county clerks on or before September 7. Dates are applied from statute to 2028.

Sources: Idaho Code § 34-708 · Idaho Code § 34-711

Once you raise or spend more than $5,000, file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2) within 15 days.
Your campaign committee then files a Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) within 10 days and reports to the FEC.

Checked November 4, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with Idaho's election office and the FEC before you file. ← All states

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