Idaho Secretary of State to Hold Post-Primary Election Audit Draw Thursday in Boise

The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office will hold a public drawing Thursday to select counties and precincts for a post-election audit of the May 19 primary election, continuing a routine process required under state law to verify the accuracy of vote tabulation.

The drawing is scheduled for May 29 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Idaho State Capitol Building, Room WW17, in Boise. Members of the public and media may attend in person or watch via livestream through Idaho Public Television.

Secretary of State Phil McGrane will oversee the audit draw alongside State Controller Brandon Woolf and State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth, who together make up the State Board of Canvassers. The counties and precincts subject to review are chosen at random during the public draw.

Idaho law requires the Secretary of State to conduct post-election audits for even-year primary and general elections. The purpose is to confirm that tabulation equipment and processes accurately recorded and counted ballots cast across the state. A list of the selected counties and precincts will be published on VoteIdaho.gov once the draw is complete.

The audit comes as Idaho wraps up its May primary cycle. Mainstream-aligned candidates made modest gains in several legislative races during Tuesday’s primary, while at least one Ada County judicial contest is headed to a November runoff after no candidate secured a majority.

McGrane, a fourth-generation Idahoan, has served as Secretary of State since taking office in January 2023. He previously served as Ada County Clerk, where he administered elections at the county level before moving to the statewide office.