If you were looking for a nail-biter on election night, Idaho definitely wasn't the place to find it. Honestly, everyone knew where the Gem State was heading long before the first ballot was even cast. But while the outcome felt like a foregone conclusion, the actual numbers from the 2024 United States presidential election in Idaho tell a much more intense story about where the state is moving—and how fast.
Donald Trump didn't just win here. He absolutely crushed it.
Taking 66.9% of the total vote, Trump secured Idaho’s four electoral votes with a massive 36.5% margin over Kamala Harris. To put that in perspective, it’s the widest victory margin for any presidential candidate in Idaho since George W. Bush back in 2004. Harris finished with 30.4%, which is a respectable slice for a Democrat in one of the reddest states in the union, but it highlights a growing gap between the urban "islands" and the rest of the state.
Why the 2024 United States Presidential Election in Idaho Broke Records
Usually, deep-red states just sort of "stay" red. But Idaho actually got redder. In 2020, Trump won by about 30.8 points. Jumping to a 36.5-point lead in 2024 shows that the conservative base isn't just stable; it's energized. Some of this is likely due to the massive influx of new residents moving from places like California and Washington specifically because they want that Idaho brand of politics.
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You've got a state that is overwhelmingly white, has a high Mormon population, and a very strong evangelical presence. These demographics have historically leaned Republican, but the 2024 results suggest a hardening of those lines.
A Tale of Two Idahos: The County Breakdown
Look at the map and you’ll see a sea of red with a few blue dots trying to hold their ground. Ada County, which is home to Boise, is always the big question mark. Trump carried it with 53.4% of the vote compared to Harris' 43.1%. It’s still Republican, but it's the closest thing to a "swing" area the state has.
Then you have the true blue holdouts:
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- Blaine County: The Sun Valley area remains the liberal heartbeat of the state, where Harris took over 64% of the vote.
- Teton County: This was a fascinating one. Harris won here with 51.7%, marking the first time the county voted for a Democrat who didn't actually end up winning the presidency.
- Latah County: Home to the University of Idaho, it stayed tight but ultimately leaned toward Trump at 52.2%.
On the flip side, some counties looks like they were from a different planet. In Franklin County, Trump snagged a staggering 87.4% of the vote. That’s not just a win; that’s a total lockout.
The Ballot Measures That Stole the Show
While the presidential race was a blowout, the real drama was happening further down the ballot. Idahoans were asked to make some pretty big decisions on how they actually run their elections.
Proposition 1 was the big one. It was a push for open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Basically, it would have changed the whole game. Supporters argued it would give independent voters a voice, while critics (including the state GOP) called it a confusing mess that would benefit Democrats. In the end, Idaho voters said a loud "no," with nearly 70% of the state rejecting the measure.
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Then there was Constitutional Amendment HJR 5. This one was a bit more symbolic but clearly popular. It sought to explicitly prohibit noncitizens from voting in Idaho elections. It passed easily with about 65% of the vote. Even though noncitizen voting was already illegal under federal and state law, voters wanted that extra layer of "don't even think about it" in their state constitution.
Turnout and the "New" Idahoan
Turnout was huge. We’re talking about 77.8% of registered voters showing up. That's a lot of people standing in line or dropping off mail-in ballots.
Interestingly, while the population has exploded, the voting patterns haven't shifted left as some predicted. If anything, the "political refugees" moving to North Idaho and the Treasure Valley seem to be doubling down on conservative values. They aren't moving here to change Idaho; they're moving here because they like Idaho exactly how it is.
Actionable Insights for Following Idaho Politics
If you’re trying to keep a pulse on what happens next in Idaho after this election, don't just look at the raw numbers. Watch these three areas:
- Monitor Legislative Sessions: Now that Prop 1 is dead, watch how the Idaho Legislature handles primary rules. There is a lot of talk about further tightening who can vote in which primary.
- Follow the Migration Trends: Keep an eye on the moving data from U-Haul and United Van Lines. If the trend of conservative "sorting" continues, Idaho’s margins in 2028 could be even wider.
- Local School Board Races: This is where the real heat is. The same energy that drove the 66.9% presidential win for Trump is now trickling down into local library and school board debates.
The 2024 United States presidential election in Idaho confirmed that the state remains a conservative fortress. While Boise and the resort towns offer a different perspective, the vast majority of the state is leaning harder into the Republican platform than ever before.