Ketchum, Idaho Public Records

Idaho residents can register to vote online through the Idaho Secretary of State's website at voteidaho.gov, or by completing a paper registration form available at the County Clerk's office, public libraries, and various government offices. The voter registration deadline is 25 days before any election, and applicants must provide their Idaho driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Idaho requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and residents of the state for at least 30 days. Municipal elections in the city cover Mayor and City Council positions. The mayoral term lasts four years, and City Council members also serve four-year staggered terms. Municipal elections are typically held in November of odd-numbered years. The next municipal election is scheduled for November 2025, when voters will decide on City Council positions. To find candidate information and local ballot measures, residents can visit the City of Ketchum website at www.ketchumidaho.org or contact City Hall at 208-726-3841. Residents can look up their assigned polling place using the Idaho Voter Information portal at voteidaho.gov or by calling the county elections office. Blaine County typically operates several polling locations on Election Day, with local voters generally casting ballots at a location within the city. Under Idaho's public records laws, voter registration lists are public records available from the County Clerk (though personal information like birthdates and ID numbers is redacted). Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are filed with the Idaho Secretary of State and searchable at www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/finance. Candidate filing information and precinct-level election results are maintained by both the County Clerk and published by the Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, Blaine County had approximately 65-70% voter turnout, with about 8,500-9,500 ballots cast out of roughly 13,000 registered voters. The county is notably the most Democratic-leaning in Idaho, consistently supporting Democratic candidates in statewide and national races by significant margins. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several important races: Idaho does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate race is 2028), but voters will elect Idaho's Governor (incumbent Brad Little's term status for 2026), all four of Idaho's U.S. House representatives (Ketchum is in District 2), Idaho State Legislature positions including State Senate District 26 and State House District 26 (covering the Wood River Valley), and various Blaine County offices including County Commissioners, County Sheriff, County Assessor, and other countywide positions. Voters may also see ballot measures or bond issues for school districts or local governments. Idaho offers absentee voting, with any registered voter able to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Absentee ballot requests can be submitted online through voteidaho.gov, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 11 days before Election Day (by mail) or until the day before Election Day (in person). The state does not conduct elections entirely by mail, but offers in-person early voting at the County Clerk's office beginning approximately two weeks before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.