Idaho Senate OKs bill to make ballot initiatives tougher
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate on Monday approved legislation to make it more difficult to get initiatives or referendums on ballots in a measure with urban vs. rural overtones.
Senators voted 26-9 to send to the House the measure that backers say is needed to give rural voters more say in the process, noting the state is growing rapidly especially in urban areas.
Opponents argued the measure violates the Idaho Constitution because it makes getting initiatives on ballots nearly impossible, giving a single district veto power.
Current rules require signatures from 6% of registered voters in each of 18 districts in 18 months, plus a number of signatures that equals 6% or all registered voters in the state.
The proposed law would change that to requiring 6% of registered voters in all 35 Idaho legislative districts in 18 months.
Backers of the bill said that under current rules, signature gatherers could get all the signatures they need in the 18 districts in just a handful of counties that contain urban areas.
“There has been concern that rural voters would have an unfair say in matters of questions to be put on the ballot,” said Republican Sen. Kelly Anthon in arguing for the measure. “I would submit to you, senators, that as of today, your urban voters have an unfair advantage."
He said requiring signatures from every district would “make sure that every corner of this state gets to weigh in on what questions go on the ballot.”
Democratic Minority Leader Michelle Stennett said that initiatives wouldn't even get to the ballot under the proposed plan.
“If 34 districts gather enough signatures, but one doesn't, this bill gives a veto power to the one district and no voice to the rest,” she said.
She also noted that rural Idaho is represented well...