Johnson Leads Herndon in District 1 Senate Race
Idaho voters weighed legislative races and four statewide ballot measures on November 3, 2026, with ballots still being counted.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Idaho voters decided legislative races and four statewide ballot measures on November 3, 2026. In District 1, Steve Johnson leads Scott Herndon for the state Senate seat, 57.58% to 42.42%.
Why it matters
The results determine who will represent northern Idaho in the state Senate and House and set the outcome of several statewide ballot questions. With counting still underway, final margins for close contests remain open.
Johnson leads Herndon 3,619 to 2,666 votes in District 1, and House Joint Resolution 4 is failing with 67.98% opposed. Results are unofficial, with about 7,084 early and absentee ballots counted so far.
The players
Steve Johnson
Johnson is a candidate for the District 1 Idaho state Senate seat who was leading in unofficial returns on election night.
Scott Herndon
Herndon is a candidate for the District 1 Idaho state Senate seat trailing Johnson in unofficial returns.
VoteIdaho.gov
VoteIdaho.gov is the official Idaho state voter information and results website where voters can check election information.
The details
Voters in Idaho cast ballots on November 3, 2026, in legislative races and on four statewide measures. Early and absentee voting accounted for roughly 7,084 ballots, and the count continued into the night, with the Winchester Model 1873 leading the vote for the state gun at 30.88%.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Voters went to the polls on Election Day.
November 4, 2026, 2-3 a.m.: Final election results are expected.
Season Trajectory
The November 3 general election follows the May 2026 Primary, which serves as the turnout benchmark for this cycle. Early and absentee tallies of roughly 7,084 ballots are set against that earlier contest to gauge how the general election is shaping up in Idaho.
The outcome of the District 1 and 1B races determines who represents northern Idaho in the Legislature for the coming term. The statewide measures, including Proposition 1 and the House Joint Resolutions, will take effect depending on whether each passes.
The takeaway
Election-night numbers in close legislative contests can shift as late ballots are counted, so readers should wait for final certified totals. Checking the official state results site gives the most reliable picture of each race.
What happens next
Final results are expected between 2 and 3 a.m. on November 4, 2026, when the remaining ballots are expected to finish being counted.
Further reading
For more on how Idaho's races are decided, see Elections coverage.
More information
Check unofficial and final results on the Idaho state voter information and results site.
Live Poll
Should the Idaho Legislature be able to legalize marijuana and psychoactive substances?
