Laws governing the initiative process in Idaho

## Contents

* 1 Laws and procedures
* 1.1 Crafting an initiative
* 1.1.1 Single-subject rule
* 1.1.2 Subject restrictions
* 1.1.3 Veto referendums on emergency legislation
* 1.1.4 Competing initiatives
* 1.2 Starting a petition
* 1.2.1 Applying to petition
* 1.2.2 Proposal review/approval
* 1.2.3 Fiscal review
* 1.3 Collecting signatures
* 1.3.1 Petition form
* 1.3.2 Number required
* 1.3.3 Distribution requirements
* 1.3.4 Restrictions on circulators
* 1.3.4.1 Circulator requirements
* 1.3.4.2 Pay-per-signature
* 1.3.4.3 Out-of-state circulators
* 1.3.4.4 Badge requirements
* 1.3.5 Electronic signatures
* 1.3.6 Deadlines for collection
* 1.4 Getting on the ballot
* 1.4.1 Signature verification
* 1.4.2 Ballot title and summary
* 1.5 The election and beyond
* 1.5.1 Supermajority requirements
* 1.5.2 Effective date
* 1.5.3 Litigation
* 1.5.4 Legislative alteration
* 1.5.5 Re-attempting an initiative
* 1.6 Funding an initiative campaign
* 1.7 State initiative law
* 1.8 External links
* 1.9 Footnotes
* 2 Changes in the law
* 2.1 Proposed changes by year
* 2.1.1 2022
* 2.1.2 2021
* 2.1.3 2020
* 2.1.4 2019
* 2.1.5 2018
* 2.1.6 2017
* 2.1.7 2016
* 2.1.8 2015
* 2.1.9 2014
* 2.1.10 2013
* 2.1.11 2012
* 2.1.12 2011
* 2.1.13 2010

# Laws and procedures[edit]

Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.

* * *

Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.

Changes to laws governing ballot measures

Types of ballot measures

Ballot measure policy topics

* * *

Select a state from the dropdown to learn more about laws governing ballot measures in that state.

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Contents

1 Laws and procedures
1.1 Crafting an initiative
1.1.1 Single-subject rule
1.1.2 Subject restrictions
1.1.3 Competing initiatives
1.2 Starting a petition
1.2.1 Applying to petition
1.2.2 Proposal review/approval
1.2.3 Fiscal review
1.3 Collecting signatures
1.3.1 Number required
1.3.2 Distribution requirements
1.3.3 Restrictions on circulators
1.3.4 Electronic signatures
1.3.5 Deadlines for collection
1.4 Getting on the ballot
1.4.1 Signature verification
1.4.2 Ballot title and summary
1.5 The election and beyond
1.5.1 Supermajority requirements
1.5.2 Effective date
1.5.3 Litigation
1.5.4 Legislative alteration
1.5.5 Re-attempting an initiative
1.6 Funding an initiative campaign
1.7 State initiative law
2 Changes in the law

Citizens of Idaho may only initiate legislation as a state statute. Idahoans may also repeal legislation via veto referendum, but cannot place a constitutional amendment on the ballot via initiative. The Idaho State Legislature, on the other hand, may place measures on the ballot as legislatively referred constitutional amendments.

## Crafting an initiative[edit]

Of the 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process, several states have adopted restrictions and regulations that limit the allowable scope and content of initiated proposals. These regulations may include laws that mandate that initiatives address only one topic, restrict the range of acceptable topics for proposed laws, prohibit unfunded mandates and establish guidelines for adjudicating contradictory measures.

### Single-subject rule[edit]

See also: Single-subject rule

Idaho law requires initiatives to "embrace only one subject and matters properly connected with it."

Before 2020, Idaho did not employ a single-subject rule.

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

### Subject restrictions[edit]

See also: Subject restrictions (ballot measures)

Idaho does not restrict the subject matter of initiated measures. In addition, they are not required to specify a funding source for mandated expenditures.

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

### Veto referendums on emergency legislation[edit]

In Idaho, veto referendums can be used on emergency legislation.

* Signatures are due 60 days after adjournment of the legislature.

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

### Competing initiatives[edit]

See also: Superseding initiative; "Poison pills"; List of Idaho ballot measures

Idaho law provides that in the event that two conflicting measures are approved, the measure with the most affirmative votes supersedes the other on any points of conflict. However, the other measure is not wholly superseded.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1811

## Starting a petition[edit]

Each initiative and referendum state employs a different procedure for filing petition applications. Some states require preliminary signatures while others do not. In addition, several states review each proposed statute, verifying that the law conforms to the style and conventions of state law and recommending alterations to initiative proponents. Some of these states also review the law for more substantive considerations of content and consistency. Also, many states conduct a review of the ballot title and summary, and several states employ a fiscal review process which analyzes proposed laws to determine their impact on state finances.[1][2][3]

### Applying to petition[edit]

See also: Approved for circulation

Idaho is one of several states that require a certain number of signatures to accompany petition applications. The signatures of 20 qualified electors are required. Along with the signatures, proponents must file a copy of the proposal with the secretary of state. Once these requirements are met, the secretary transfers the proposal to the attorney general for review.

When filing an initiative, proponents must also submit a proposed funding source for any expected costs of implementing the measure. The proposed funding source is nonbinding and is not part of the legal text of the measure. This proposed funding source must be included on petition sheets during signature gathering and within the voter information pamphlet for the election.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1804 and Section 34-1804

### Proposal review/approval[edit]

See also: Approved for circulation

After receiving the measure from the secretary, the attorney general is required to evaluate the proposal and provide recommendations on substance, form, and style. These revisions are advisory; petitioners are free to accept or reject them. After the review, the sponsor must re-submit the revised proposal to the secretary of state. The attorney general then assigns the measure a short and long ballot title.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1804 and Section 34-1804

### Fiscal review[edit]

See also: Fiscal impact statement

The Division of Financial Management prepares a fiscal impact statement for any filed citizen initiatives describing the expected effects on state and local government revenue, expenditures, costs, and debt. This fiscal impact statement is to be included on signature petition sheets during signature gathering and on the voter information pamphlet for the election.

When filing an initiative, proponents must also submit a proposed funding source for any expected costs of implementing the measure. The proposed funding source is nonbinding and is not part of the legal text of the measure. This proposed funding source must be included on petition sheets during signature gathering and within the voter information pamphlet for the election.  See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

## Collecting signatures[edit]

Each initiative and referendum state employs a unique method of calculating the state's signature requirements. Some states mandate a certain fraction of registered voters while others base their calculation on those who actually voted in a preceding election. In addition, many states employ a distribution requirement, dictating where in the state these signatures must be collected. Beyond these overarching requirements, many states regulate the manner in which signatures may be collected and the timeline for collecting them.

### Petition form[edit]

Idaho law sets the form for initiative petitions and requires the inclusion of the following on petition sheets:

* the fiscal impact statement drafted by officials and the proposed funding source submitted by proponents
* a statement informing signers that they can remove their signatures from the petition at a later date
* a place for the recording of the legislative district of the signer.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34

### Number required[edit]

See also: Idaho signature requirements

In Idaho, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is equal to 6 percent of the number of registered voters as of the state's last general election. Moreover, Idaho has a distribution requirement requiring signatures to equal at least 6 percent of registered voters in 18 of the state's 35 legislative districts.

Below are the statewide signature requirements that initiative proponents must meet to get their initiatives on the ballot in that year.

Year  | Statute  | Veto referendum

|
|

2026 | 70,725[4] | 70,725[4]
2024 | 62,895 | 62,895
2022 | 64,945 | 64,945
2020 | 55,057 | 55,057
2018 | 56,192 | 56,192
2016 | 47,623 | 47,623
2014 | 53,751 | 53,751
2012 | 47,432 | 47,432
2010 | 51,712 | 51,712
2008 | 45,893 | 45,893

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1805

### Distribution requirements[edit]

See also: Distribution requirements

Idaho has a distribution requirement of 6 percent of the qualified electors at the time of the last general election in each of at least 18 of the state's 35 state legislative districts, provided the total number of signatures is equal or greater than 6 percent of qualified electors in the state at the time of the last general election.

Idaho had a distribution requirement requiring 6 percent of the signatures from each of 22 of Idaho's 44 counties. This rule was struck down in 2001 by a federal court in Idaho Coalition United for Bears v. Cenarrusa.[5] However, in 2013, the Idaho Legislature passed Idaho Senate Bill 1108, which added geographic distributions requirements for signature collection based on state legislative districts.

The signatures must be collected from only one county per petition. Regarding the petition format, the designation of legislative districts must be marked "for official use only."[6]

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1, Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

### Restrictions on circulators[edit]

#### Circulator requirements[edit]

See also: Petition circulator

In Idaho, there are no statutes that prevent a circulator from signing the petition being circulated. Each initiative petition contains a mandatory circulator affidavit. The circulator is required to sign these affidavits before a public notary. He/she must swear to and sign a statement, under the penalty of law, that he/she personally witnessed every act of signing the petition.[7] He or she must also certify that he or she believes each signer noted his/her address correctly. According to Idaho Statutes Sec. 34-1807, those circulating petitions are required:[7]

* to be a resident of Idaho
* to be at least 18 years of age

Once circulation is completed, the signatures are submitted to a county clerk who then submits them to the secretary of state.[7]

See law: Idaho Statutes Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 07

#### Pay-per-signature[edit]

See also: Pay-per-signature

Idaho allows paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected. Idaho law requires anyone that pays signature gatherers a total of $100 or more to collect ballot initiative signatures to report the expenditures to the secretary of state.

Idaho used to have a law banning paying signature gatherers on a per-signature basis, but a court struck this law down in 2001 in Idaho Coalition United for Bears v. Cenarrusa.[8]

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 & Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

#### Out-of-state circulators[edit]

See also: Residency requirements for petition circulators

Idaho requires that petition circulators are residents of the state. Similar laws in other states have been overturned, but the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the matter.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1807

#### Badge requirements[edit]

See also: Badge requirements

Idaho requires badges for paid petition circulators; requires circulators to verbally notify potential signers that they are being paid, and a disclosure to be printed on petitions.

See law: Senate Bill 1377

### Electronic signatures[edit]

See also: Electronic petition signatures

In Idaho, the Legislature passed a bill to prohibit electronic signatures for ballot initiative petitions in 2021.[9]

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1807

### Deadlines for collection[edit]

See also: Petition drive deadlines; Initiative petition circulation periods

In Idaho, petitioners have 18 months to collect signatures after the ballot title has been granted. Signatures may not be collected after April 30 of the year in which the measure would appear on the ballot. Signatures must be filed by the close of business on May 1 and cannot be collected after April 30.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1802

## Getting on the ballot[edit]

Once signatures have been collected, state officials must verify that requirements are met and that fraudulent signatures are excluded. States generally employ a random sample process or a full verification of signatures. After verification, the issue must be prepared for the ballot. This often involves preparing a fiscal review and ballot summary.

### Signature verification[edit]

See also: Signature certification

In Idaho, each petition signature is verified by the county clerks and transmitted to the secretary of state. Petitions must contain signatures from only one county and should be filed with the appropriate county clerk.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1802

### Ballot title and summary[edit]

See also: Ballot title

The short and long ballot titles are assigned when the proposal is submitted for review. The short title is only a few, descriptive words. The long ballot title concisely explains the purpose of the measure. A generic ballot title and number (e.g. Proposition 1, Proposition 2, etc...) is assigned according to the order in which the measures are filed with the secretary.

* A sample of a past ballot can be found here.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1802 and Section 34-1810

## The election and beyond[edit]

Ballot measures face additional challenges beyond qualifying for the ballot and receiving a majority of the vote. Several states require ballot measures to get more than a simple majority. While some states mandate a three-fifths supermajority, other states set the margin differently. In addition, ballot measures may face legal challenges or modifications by legislators. If a ballot measure does fail, some states limit how soon that initiative can be re-attempted.

### Supermajority requirements[edit]

See also: Supermajority requirements

Idaho initiatives do not require a supermajority for approval. This also applies to legislatively referred constitutional amendments.

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article XX, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1803

### Effective date[edit]

State law sets the earliest possible and the default effective date for statewide ballot initiatives to be July 1 in the year following the election. Initiatives can set effective dates that are later than July 1 of the following year.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1803

### Litigation[edit]

See also: Ballot measure lawsuit news

Any person may challenge a ballot title in the Idaho Supreme Court within 20 days. Any time after the attorney general has reviewed a proposal, any qualified elector may challenge the constitutionality of the measure in the Supreme Court. If a petition fails to qualify for the ballot, any citizen may challenge the decision in the State District Court for the Fourth Judicial District within 10 days. The decision of the district court can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1808 and Section 34-1809

### Legislative alteration[edit]

See also: Legislative alteration

Idaho does not limit how soon, or with what majority, the legislature can repeal a measure.[10]

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

### Re-attempting an initiative[edit]

Idaho does not limit how soon an initiative can be re-attempted.[11]

See law: Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1 and Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

## Funding an initiative campaign[edit]

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Idaho ballot measures

Some of the notable features of Idaho's campaign finance law include:

* Idaho treats groups registered in support of or opposition to a ballot measure the same as other political committees.
* Idaho requires the certification of a campaign treasurer before any political committee registered in support of or opposition to a ballot measure can accept contributions.
* The campaign treasurer for a registered political committee must be a resident of the State of Idaho.
* Idaho bans labor unions from making donations to political committees registered in support of or opposition to a ballot measure as a condition of union membership.
* Idaho requires urgent disclosure of all campaign contributions of $1,000 or more occurring in the last 16 days before the election within 48 hours of receiving the contribution.

## State initiative law[edit]

Article III of the Idaho Constitution provides authority for the initiative and referendum process.

* Idaho Constitution, Article III, Section 1

Title 34, Chapter 18 of the Idaho Statutes governs the initiative and referendum process.

* Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18

## External links[edit]

* Idaho Secretary of State, "Guidelines for Initiative Petition Circulators"

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ NCSL, "Drafting the Initiative Proposal," accessed May 19, 2011
2. ↑ NCSL, "Preparation of a Fiscal Analysis," accessed May 19, 2011
3. ↑ NCSL, "Preparation of a Ballot Title and Summary," accessed May 19, 2011
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 [Calculated based on Idaho law]
5. ↑ FindLaw, "IDAHO COALITION UNITED FOR BEARS v. CENARRUSA," accessed December 1, 2021
6. ↑ Ballotpedia, "Idaho Senate Bill 1108 (2013)," accessed December 1, 2021
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 State of Idaho Legislature, “Idaho Statutes, Sec. 34-1807 - Elections, Initiative and Referendum Elections," accessed September 6, 2013
8. ↑ Citizens in Charge, "Pay-Per-Signature Bans," accessed July 29, 2011
9. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 290," accessed June 20, 2023
10. ↑ NCSL, "Limiting the Legislature's Power to Amend and Repeal Initiated Statutes," June 28, 2011
11. ↑ NCSL, "Banning Same or Similar Measures from the Ballot for a Specified Period of Time," May 2009

Laws governing ballot measures in the United States

Laws governing ballot measures

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Changes to laws governing ballot measures

2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018

Types of ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measures • Legislatively referred ballot measures • Automatically referred ballot measures • Commission-referred ballot measures • Convention-referred constitutional amendments

Ballot measure policy terms

Glossary of ballot measure policy terms

v • e

State of Idaho
Boise (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy

# Changes in the law[edit]

Contents

1 Laws and procedures
2 Changes in the law
2.1 Proposed changes by year
2.1.1 2022
2.1.2 2021
2.1.3 2010
2.1.4 2019
2.1.5 2018
2.1.6 2017
2.1.7 2016
2.1.8 2015
2.1.9 2014
2.1.10 2013

The following laws have been proposed that modify ballot measure law in Idaho. If a box is empty for any given year, it means Ballotpedia did not track any ballot measure or recall-related laws in that year.

## Proposed changes by year[edit]

### 2022[edit]

See also: Changes in 2022 to laws governing ballot measures

* House Bill 695: The legislation aligned the number of signatures required for a local recall petition with the votes cast in that specific district, subdistrict, or zone. Previously, state law aligned the number of signatures with the votes cast in the district, without mention of subdistrict or zone.[1]

1. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 695," accessed June 14, 2023

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### 2021[edit]

See also: Changes in 2021 to laws governing ballot measures

* House Bill 290: The legislation prohibited electronic petition signatures, including for ballot initiatives, and stated that county clerks are responsible for verifying signatures.[1]

* Senate Bill 1067: The legislation made several changes to election policies in Idaho, including making county clerks, rather than city clerks, responsible for receiving recall petitions, except recall petitions for state offices.[2]

* Senate Bill 1110: The bill was designed to change the signature distribution requirement for ballot initiatives from 6% of voters in 18 (of 35) state legislative districts to 6% of voters in all 35 legislative districts.[3]

* On August 23, 2021, the Idaho Supreme Court struck down SB 1110 as unconstitutional, writing "[the bill] would result in a scheme that squarely conflicts with the democratic ideals that form the bedrock of the constitutional republic created by the Idaho Constitution, and seriously undermines the people’s initiative and referendum powers enshrined therein."[4]

* Senate Bill 1150 (Vetoed): The legislation was designed to prohibit initiative and referendum petitions from being circulated or signed outside the state's borders. Gov. Brad Little (R) vetoed SB 1150 on May 18, 2021.[5]

1. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 290," accessed June 20, 2023
2. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1067," accessed June 20, 2023
3. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1110," accessed June 20, 2023
4. ↑ Boise State Public Radio, "Idaho Supreme Court Strikes Down New Ballot Initiative Restrictions," August 23, 2021
5. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1150," accessed June 20, 2023

#### Reclaim Idaho v. Denney[edit]

See also: Idaho Supreme Court, Reclaim Idaho v. Denney, August 23, 2021

On August 21, 2021, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that Senate Bill 1110 (SB 1110), passed earlier in the year, was unconstitutional. SB 1110 was designed to change the signature distribution requirement for ballot initiatives from 6% of voters in 18 (of 35) state legislative districts to 6% of voters in all 35 legislative districts.[1]

The Idaho Supreme Court held, "Ultimately, the effect of SB 1110 is to prevent a perceived, yet unsubstantiated fear of the 'tyranny of the majority,' by replacing it with an actual 'tyranny of the minority.' This would result in a scheme that squarely conflicts with the democratic ideals that form the bedrock of the constitutional republic created by the Idaho Constitution, and seriously undermines the people's initiative and referendum powers enshrined therein." While striking down SB 1110, the Court did not address the previous distribution requirement. "In so ruling, we clarify that we have not decided the question of whether section 34-1805, with its 18 legislative district requirement, is also unconstitutional," read the opinion.[1]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Idaho Supreme Court, "Reclaim Idaho v. Denney," August 23, 2021

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### 2020[edit]

See also: Changes in 2020 to laws governing ballot measures

* House Bill 548: The bill required that initiatives be limited to a single subject; required that initiative petitions include a statement informing signers that they have the option to remove their signatures from the petition; required individuals or entities who pay signature gatherers to report such activity to the secretary of state; and set the earliest and default effective date for ballot initiatives as July 1 of the year following the election.[1]

* Senate Bill 1310: The legislation required that a non-conflicting officer be responsible for the ordering of a recall election.[2]

* Senate Bill 1350: The legislation added a fiscal impact and funding source statement, drafted by the Division of Financial Management, to the voter information guide for ballot initiatives.[3]

1. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 548," accessed June 22, 2023
2. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1310," accessed June 22, 2023
3. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1350," accessed June 22, 2023

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### 2019[edit]

See also: Changes in 2019 to laws governing ballot measures

* House Bill 296 (Vetoed): Gov. Brad Little (R) vetoed HB 296 on April 9, 2019. The legislation made changes to Senate Bill 1159, which was also vetoed, to make the revised distribution requirement 24 legislative districts, rather than 32, and allow nine months for signature gathering, rather than 180 days.[1]

* Senate Bill 1159 (Vetoed): Gov. Brad Little (R) vetoed SB 1159 on April 5, 2019. The legislation would have made changes to the laws governing the initiative process in Idaho, including:[2]

* increasing the signature requirement for initiatives and veto referendums from 6% to 10% of registered voters as of the last general election;
* increasing the state's distribution requirement to require initiative and referendum petitioners to meet the 10% requirement in 32 legislative districts, rather than 6% in 18 legislative districts;
* reducing the amount of time allowed for signature gathering from 18 months to 180 days;
* enacting a single-subject rule for initiatives; and
* requiring a fiscal impact statement for each initiative certified for the ballot.

1. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 296," accessed June 29, 2023
2. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1159," accessed June 29, 2023

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### 2018[edit]

See also: Changes in 2018 to laws governing ballot measures

* House Bill 568: The legislation was designed to conform local initiative and referendum laws with a court ruling that prevented the use of citizen-initiated ballot measures regarding local zoning laws.[1]

* House Bill 620: The legislation prohibited a government or public entity, or their employees, from using public funds, resources, or property to advocate for or against a ballot measure.[2]

1. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 568," accessed June 28, 2023
2. ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 620," accessed June 28, 2023

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### 2017[edit]

See also: Changes in 2017 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Idaho

d Idaho House Bill 109 was designed to do the following:

* allow city initiatives and referendums to go on the ballot in November of both even- and odd-numbered years instead of only during even-numbered years;
* to remove the requirement that city initiative and referendum signature petitions be submitted 180 days after the ballot summary is provided to petitions and circulation begins or May 1, whichever comes first and, instead, leave May 1 of the election year as the only deadline that applies.

d Idaho House Joint Resolution 3 was designed to amend the state's constitution to reduce the supermajority requirement to pass local bond measures from a two-thirds (66.67%) vote to a 60 percent requirement. As a constitutional amendment, this proposal would have required voter approval had it passed the legislature.

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### 2016[edit]

See also: Changes in 2016 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Idaho and Power struggle between state and local government

1. a Idaho House Bill 463: Was designed to amend existing law "to revise obsolete language and to prohibit political subdivisions from establishing minimum wages higher than the minimum wages provided by state law." This proposal was part of a larger trend featuring state and local governments struggling against each other to claim control over issues such as fracking, minimum wage and LGBT issues.
2. a Idaho House Bill 372: Was designed to add "to existing law to provide that any regulation regarding the use, disposition or sale or any prohibition, restriction, fee or taxation of auxiliary containers at the retail, manufacturer or distributor setting shall be done only by statute enacted by the Legislature." This proposal was part of a larger trend featuring state and local governments struggling against each other to claim control over issues such as fracking, minimum wage and LGBT issues.
3. d Idaho Senate Bill 1299: Was designed to apply certain requirements concerning campaign finance reports and other reports required of state candidate and state ballot measure committees to apply to local ballot measure committees and recall committees.

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### 2015[edit]

See also: Changes in 2015 to laws governing ballot measures

See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Idaho

1. a Idaho House Bill 216: Was designed "to provide an additional election date for city initiative and referendum elections and to make a technical correction."

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### 2014[edit]

See also: Changes in 2014 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Idaho State Legislature:

1. d HB 444: Standardizes initiative and referendum procedures for local and state initiatives and referendums. It died in State Affairs Committee.

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### 2013[edit]

Idaho senate bills 1108 and 1191 were approved in 2013.

See also: Changes in 2012 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Idaho State Legislature:

d SB 1026: Amends existing law relating to initiative and referendum elections to revise provisions relating to the form of certain petitions; revises provisions relating to certain signature sheets; revises provisions relating to the number of signatures required on certain petitions; revises provisions relating to certain petitions and signature sheets.

a SB 1108: Amends existing law relating to initiative and referendum elections to revise signature requirements. Adds geographic distribution requirements. Revises provisions relating to the form of petitions to include legislative district on the signature sheet.

a SB 1191: Amends petition format requirements, removes certain petition signature requirements, removes language from circulator oath and adds certification that circulator believes signer has noted correct address.

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### 2012[edit]

See also: Changes in 2012 to laws governing ballot measures

The following bills were introduced in the Idaho State Legislature:

a Idaho House Bill 452 (2012): Bill description/summary: "The legislation adds requirements of the taxing district to provide a statement as to the purpose for which the bonds are to be used, disclose the interest amount of the bonds, and to disclose when the bonds will be paid off or retired."

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### 2011[edit]

See also: Changes in 2011 to laws governing ballot measures

No proposed changes were identified in 2011.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Changes in 2010 to laws governing ballot measures

No proposed changes were identified in 2010.

Laws governing ballot measures in the United States

Laws governing ballot measures

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Changes to laws governing ballot measures

2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018

Types of ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measures • Legislatively referred ballot measures • Automatically referred ballot measures • Commission-referred ballot measures • Convention-referred constitutional amendments

Ballot measure policy terms

Glossary of ballot measure policy terms

v • e

State of Idaho
Boise (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy