Idaho
Election 2024: 146,000 Idaho voters and counting have already voted by absentee ballot • Idaho Capital Sun
With five days to go until the 2024 general election, nearly 150,000 Idaho voters have already voted by absentee ballot, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
As of Thursday afternoon, 146,139 Idahoans had cast their vote by absentee ballot, surpassing the total number of votes by absentee ballot in the 2022 election.
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During the 2022 general election, which was not a presidential election, 129,210 Idahoans voted by absentee ballot, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
An additional 173,795 Idaho voters had participated in early voting for the 2024 election, as of Wednesday.
“With Idahoans showing up in large numbers for early voting and absentee, we are on the path to a historic turnout for the Nov. 5 general election,” Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in a written statement Wednesday. “I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan, whether it’s early voting through Friday, returning an absentee ballot, or heading to the polls on Election Day.”
About 23% of absentee ballots requested have not yet been returned, so the number of votes by absentee ballot is likely to continue to increase until polls close on Election Day.
Most of the voters who have voted by absentee ballot are Republicans. According to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, 82,059 of the absentee ballots that have been returned for the 2024 general election are from registered Republicans. That compares to 33,727 ballots from unaffiliated voters, 29,276 from registered Democrats, 791 from Libertarians and 286 from Constitution Party members.
In an interview Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, McGrane said he has been most surprised and impressed by the 173,795 early in-person early votes.
“One of things that I have found most interesting this election is that as of right now, we have more early votes cast than we do absentee ballots cast, and I think if this trend continues today and tomorrow, I think this might be the first election where early voting surpassing absentee voting,” McGrane said. “And that is noteworthy.”
McGrane said he attributes the increase in early voting to voters simply feeling more comfortable voting that way.
“I think we are feeling the energy around early voting this cycle,” McGrane said.
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Idaho legislators have sought to restrict absentee voting
Even though absentee voting is popular in Idaho, some Idaho legislators have sought to restrict absentee voting.
In 2023 and 2024, the Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee introduced bills sponsored by Reps. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Mike Kingsley, R-Lewiston, respectively, that would have limited who was eligible to request an absentee ballot. Ultimately, the Idaho House killed Alfieri’s bill, House Bill 205, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported, while Kingsley’s bill, House Bill 667, was sent out for possible amendments and never advanced.
In 2023 the Idaho House passed a different bill, House Bill 259, which would have restricted who could distribute absentee ballot request forms. The Idaho Senate never took House Bill 259 up, which died when the 2023 session adjourned.
All absentee ballots must be received by county elections office before polls close Nov. 5
The deadline to request an absentee ballot in Idaho was Oct. 25. As of Thursday, about 76.7% Idaho absentee ballots that were requested have been returned. Idaho voters must return their completed absentee ballot to their county’s elections office by the time polls close at 8 p.m. local time on Election Day, Nov. 5. On Wednesday, the Idaho Secretary of States Office asked voters who have not yet returned their ballots to use an official elections drop box or take their absentee ballot to their county elections office.
“It is now too late to mail absentee ballots to guarantee arrival by the deadline on Election Day,” the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office said in a press release issued Wednesday.
For Idahoans who do not vote early or by absentee ballot, polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time for those voting in person on Election Day. Residents can register to vote at the polls in Idaho. To register to vote in person, voters will need a current photo ID and proof of residence.
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Idaho
Grocery Outlets to close in Idaho Falls, Pocatello after company announces poor earnings – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS — Two local grocery stores are closing their doors, along with 34 others across the country, after their CEO announced last quarter that sales were unacceptable.
On Friday, the Grocery Outlets in Idaho Falls and Pocatello announced on Facebook that they’ll be closing their doors by March 21.
The Idaho Falls Grocery Outlet first opened its doors in July 2022, and the one in Pocatello opened in April 2023.
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EastIdahoNews.com contacted the operators of the Idaho Falls Grocery Outlet and was referred to corporate. They did not respond to a request for comment.
However, on March 4, Grocery Outlet CEO James Potter spoke during an earnings call with investors, on the closure of the stores in Idaho and across the country. Potter told investors during the call that the company’s fourth-quarter results were “unacceptable.”
“Our outlook for 2026 reflects a business with more work to do than we expected,” Potter said. “I own this, and I own fixing these issues.”
Potter said 36 stores were identified as lacking a viable path to sustained profitability despite the company’s support. The majority of the identified stores were located on the East Coast.
“However, it’s clear that we expanded too quickly and that these closures are a direct correction,” Potter said.
According to a list on Gordon Brothers’ website, a third store in Idaho will also close in Smelterville, located in Idaho’s panhandle. The investment firm’s website shows that all 36 locations are available for sublease.
With these closers, Potter said the company hopes to bring back $12 million and free up resources to assist other stores in different markets.
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IDAHO FALLS — A local event can be your one-stop shop if you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift, Easter basket fillers, and spring or summer decor.
The Spring Bazaar is returning to Bonneville High School this year on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s free to enter. You can “shop, eat, mingle, and repeat” at the craft fair, according to the flyer.
The first 100 people through the door will get a free cinnamon roll from Mrs. Powell’s.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the house because the weather is getting nice and spend some time with your girlfriends and your family,” said Haylie Rowberry, the event coordinator.
A fun giveaway will be happening during the day, and it will be a scavenger hunt.
“We did something similar last year, and it was a big hit, so we thought we would try it again,” Rowberry told EastIdahoNews.com.
Here’s how the scavenger hunt works. DJ Guido — who runs the music at the event — is giving away an item from a vendor every hour. Participants have to find the booth selling the item, get a claim ticket to win and bring it back to him.
There will be 120 vendors at the Spring Bazaar. New this year is a business called Cow Friend Soap, which is a bath and body booth. Another one is Turtle Tea, which sells boba drinks. Then there’s Beau & Bows, which sells matching hairbows and neckties for the whole family.
See the list below of all the vendors that will be there.
“I love that it’s an opportunity to support the local community and support small businesses and local entrepreneurs,” Rowberry said.
There are junior vendors, who are under 18, like Brysens Ball Claws. It’s 3D printed golf accessories.
There’s also one vendor who is Deaf, and he’s an artist, Rowberry said. His name is Frankie Grant.
“He does drawings and postcards. He makes his own bookmarks and kids’ painting kits. He is very talented, and so I am excited to have him this year,” she said.
There will be Girl Scout cookies there, too and plenty of food vendors to choose from.
The Spring Bazaar has grown in popularity over the years. Rowberry said she’s created a slogan for the event, “Spring Bazaar: where shopping turns into traditions.”
“The Spring Bazaar has become a tradition for many. I have talked to several families that have been coming for years and years, and they look forward to it every year,” she added.
Rowberry puts on the Fall Bazaar, which will be happening in November.
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) drives against Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State’s Antoniette Emma-Nnopu (7) eyes an entry pass to Nicole Willardson (25) as Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) defends in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Hannah Robbins, right, drives past Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Fui Niumeitolu (12) lofts a floater over Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Sydney White (22) tries to set up a play against Idaho’s Ella Uriarte (5) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) shoots against Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State guard Lanae Billy gets back on defense after making a 3-pointer against Idaho in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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Weber State forward Arizana Peaua (11) shoots over Idaho’s Debora dos Santos in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Ava Nash, for WSU Athletics
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) drives against Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State’s Antoniette Emma-Nnopu (7) eyes an entry pass to Nicole Willardson (25) as Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) defends in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Hannah Robbins, right, drives past Idaho’s Ana Pinheiro in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Fui Niumeitolu (12) lofts a floater over Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Sydney White (22) tries to set up a play against Idaho’s Ella Uriarte (5) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy (32) shoots against Idaho’s Kyra Gardner (3) in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State guard Lanae Billy gets back on defense after making a 3-pointer against Idaho in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
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- Weber State forward Arizana Peaua (11) shoots over Idaho’s Debora dos Santos in the women’s Big Sky tournament quarterfinals Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Weber State women’s basketball showed plenty of fight but Idaho showed why it’s the No. 1 team in the Big Sky on Sunday afternoon.
Using middle-quarter dominance, Idaho built a 21-point lead through three quarters and had enough cushion to withstand a big Weber State push on the way to a 66-52 victory in the Big Sky tournament quarterfinals at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
Weber State (11-22) got 14 points apiece from its two seniors each putting a cap on their two-year stint in Ogden. Guard Lanae Billy and forward Antoniette Emma-Nnopu each tallied 14, with Emma-Nnopu adding seven rebounds and four assists.
Junior post Nicole Willardson totaled 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for the Wildcats. Those three players combined to shoot 9 of 17 from the 3-point line.
A back-and-forth first quarter bled into the start of the second quarter when Willardson made a 3 to put WSU ahead 15-14. But Idaho’s pressure began to wear on Weber, with the Vandals (27-5) keeping the Wildcats from quality shots while beginning to dominate the post.
Idaho paint players Debora dos Santos and Lorena Barbosa combined for 12 points in the frame; the Vandals outscored WSU 22-6 after Willardson’s 3 and took a 36-21 lead into halftime when WSU left Barbosa open for a straightaway 3 at the horn.
“They were a lot more aggressive this go-round. They really cranked it up, they were denying up on us … they just really sped us up first half, is what it felt like,” WSU head coach Jenteal Jackson said. “We went into a little more iso ball, which is not typical of us. Just needed to slow down, take a breath, run our offense and run a bunch of our actions that we needed to make them guard.”
The third quarter was much of the same. Idaho guard Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva knocked down a 3 to give the Vandals a 54-30 lead with 30 seconds left in the quarter.
Emma-Nnopu ended the quarter with one of her three 3s, though, and unknowingly began a 20-6 run for Weber State. WSU burst out of the final break with a pair of buckets to precede a Willardson 3, then a Sydney White steal leading to a Billy triple seven seconds later. That made it 56-43 with 7:30 left.
Later, White made a 3, then another steal led White to find a rolling Arizana Peaua for a layup to cut the score to 60-50 with 4:00 remaining.
WSU’s gas ran out there, though. Hope Hassmann drove for a bucket on one of Idaho’s 17 offensive rebounds to all but put the game away at 65-50 with 3:00 left on the clock.
Hassmann and Kyra Gardner each also scored 14 to lead Idaho, with Hassmann adding six assists and five rebounds. Ana Pinheiro and dos Santos each scored 12 points.
Idaho advances to play Tuesday, facing the winner of Monday’s game between Idaho State and Sacramento State.
After starting Big Sky play with nine straight losses, WSU finished by winning four of six before the defeat to Idaho, but finished in ninth place.
Weber turns to next season returning five scholarship juniors while replacing the two seniors. WSU lost three players before the season began with knee injuries.
“It’s always tough when kids who are really playing well and peaking are done. It’s been a joy to coach them,” Jackson said of the seniors. “We’re going to miss them a lot.”
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