State desk
Ranks 7th of 50 on the Liberty Index.
Where Idaho stands on 12 policies, sourced from our 50-state trackers, with the latest headlines from 10 Idaho outlets.
12 policies · each strip is all 50 states, grouped by rule · Idaho in red. Free to cite with attribution.
No permit required for concealed carry by adults; optional enhanced permits remain available for reciprocity.
Idaho is 1 of 29 states with this rule
15 · Shall-Issue Permit6 · Restrictive: Permit Required
Idaho taxes individual income at a single flat rate of 5.30 percent, ranking 20 of 41 among the states that tax income. Fifteen states use a single-rate structure.
Idaho is 1 of 15 states with this rule
8 · No Income Tax1 · Capital Gains Only26 · Graduated Brackets
Idaho charges 33.00 cents per gallon in state tax, ranking 19 of 50, which is near the middle nationally. With the federal 18.40 cents added, a driver pays 51.40 cents per gallon in tax. Diesel is taxed at 33.00 cents.
Idaho is 1 of 16 states with this rule
17 · Among the Highest17 · Among the Lowest
Retains the death penalty.
Idaho is 1 of 23 states with this rule
4 · Retains it, executions paused23 · Abolished
Right-to-work by statute since 1985 (upheld by a 1986 referendum).
Idaho is 1 of 26 states with this rule
24 · No Right-to-Work Law
State minimum wage matches the federal rate at $7.25.
Idaho is 1 of 12 states with this rule
30 · Above the Federal Floor3 · Below Federal, So Federal Applies5 · No State Minimum Wage Law
Voters are asked for photo ID; those without one can still cast a counted ballot by signing an affidavit.
Idaho is 1 of 14 states with this rule
10 · Strict Photo ID4 · Strict Non-Photo ID8 · ID Requested (No Photo)14 · No Document Required
Enacted a refundable education tax credit in 2025 available broadly to families for private and home education.
Idaho is 1 of 17 states with this rule
16 · Limited Program17 · No Private-Choice Program
NCSL lists Idaho among states recognizing, by statute or court case, that there is no duty to retreat in any place where a person is lawfully present. Self-defense law here also shields a person from civil suit for damages.
Idaho is 1 of 31 states with this rule
7 · Recognized by Court Decision12 · Not Listed by NCSL
Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot by mail without giving a reason.
Idaho is 1 of 29 states with this rule
8 · All-Mail13 · Excuse Required
Idaho's unemployment rate was 3.6% in September 2026, seasonally adjusted, unchanged from August. It ranks 20th lowest of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.), up from 21st. A year earlier, in September 2025, it was 3.6%. The U.S. rate was 4.2%.
Data retrieved from the BLS public API on October 30, 2026. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.
Elected statewide to a four-year term.
Idaho is 1 of 43 states with this rule
5 · Appointed by the governor1 · Chosen by the legislature1 · Appointed by the state supreme court