Elections

Idaho's 2026 Primary By the Numbers

Published May 28, 2026 · Based on unofficial returns. Official certification by the Idaho State Board of Canvassers on June 9, 2026.

The May 19, 2026 Idaho primary election in numbers — turnout, party breakdowns, margins, and the races that broke records.

Turnout

307,494

Ballots cast statewide

From 1,031,196 eligible voters. Source: Idaho Secretary of State office, reported 2 AM May 20.

29.82%

Statewide turnout

Primary turnout typically runs well below general-election turnout. November 2024 general turnout in Idaho was about 65%.

Partisan ballot split (Governor primary)

Idaho voters choose a party ballot in the primary. The Governor race appeared on each party's primary ballot, so vote totals there are a useful proxy for which party ballots were chosen.

233,608

Republican Governor primary

Brad Little defeated 7 challengers with about 59.7% of the vote.

49,384

Democratic Governor primary

Terri Pickens won the 4-way race with 62.0%.

868

Libertarian Governor primary

Paul Sand 56.9% over Melissa-Sue Robinson.

The Republican primary outdrew the Democratic primary by a ratio of roughly 4.7-to-1 in the Governor race.

Races and outcomes

Contested party-primary races on the ballot

Across federal, statewide, and state legislative offices. Excludes single-candidate primaries.

Races called from unofficial returns

The 2 outstanding are federal Independent primaries (Indy candidates file separately in Idaho).

Sitting Republican legislators defeated or trailing

Burgoyne (HD 29B), Cayler (HD 11B), Miller (HD 24B, 3-way), plus Sauter (HD 1A) and Woodward (SD 1) trailing as of canvass deadline.

Seats with no November opposition at all

9 Republican-only legislative seats, 2 Democratic-only (both in District 18, Boise). See the full breakdown.

Margins

40 votes

Closest contested race

HD 29B Republican primary: Miles 50.56% vs Burgoyne 49.44% (1,814 to 1,774). Recount-eligible per Idaho law.

93.9%

Largest single-candidate share in a contested race

HD 6B Democratic: Kathy Dawes 89.5% over Kenneth D Williams. (Several races saw 100% for the only candidate in their party.)

Contested races decided by under 10 points

Two of those by under 2 points; three between 2-5 points; twelve between 5-10 points.

Three-way contested primaries

SD 8 R, SD 20 R, HD 24B R, HD 28A R, HD 6A D. The three-way HD 24B unseated the budget committee co-chair.

Statewide offices

Of Idaho's seven statewide elected positions (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Controller, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction), only Governor had a contested Republican primary. The other six saw the Republican incumbent or sole filer advance unopposed within their primary. Every statewide office has both a Republican and a Democratic candidate going to November.

What's next

The Idaho State Board of Canvassers certifies the unofficial returns on June 9, 2026, which is also the deadline by which any of the close races could shift if remaining absentee or provisional ballots change a count. Recount requests, where eligible, must be filed within 20 days of canvass. The November 3, 2026 general election follows.

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