The Senate Bill S 1110 relating to ballot initiatives and referendum.

Last week we listed this bill as having a hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee. That happened Wednesday, Feb. 17. Because of so many registering to testify, it was resumed on Friday, Feb. 19. The testimony was overwhelmingly against the bill, it passed 6-3 and now moves to the full Senate.

LWVID testified against this bill. Now we need you to contact your Idaho senators and let them know how you feel. Reminder: League policy clarifies only the presidents speak for the League and members are expressing their own message in solidarity with League.

Bill Description: Requires signatures of at least 6% of qualified electors in all 35 of Idaho’s legislative districts for ballot initiative or referendum petitions. Current law requires 6% from only 18 of the 35 legislative districts and 6% of eligible voters throughout the state.

Bill status: This bill passed in the Senate State Affairs Committee and is headed to the full Senate.

League position: Oppose – The League encourages and promotes citizen-led efforts to take part in our government, including getting initiatives on the ballot for all eligible citizens to vote on. This bill makes it much more difficult for any citizen-led group to propose a ballot initiative.

Call to Action – Email, write to or phone your state senator. Find their contact information here: https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/whosmylegislator/?address=

Suggested Script: "I am writing to oppose S1110. . ." or "As your constituent, I urge you to oppose S1110…." Select a few talking points and include your address and phone number after your signature.

• This bill will make it virtually impossible for any grassroots campaign ever to qualify another initiative or referendum for the ballot.
• The bill will basically eliminate two (initiative and referendum) of the most cherished constitutional rights of citizens to participate in their government. 
• Idaho already has some of the most restrictive rules in the country regarding ballot initiatives and referendums. 
• Senator Vick's comment that this bill is needed to give rural Idahoans more of a say in their government does not take into account that if rural Idahoans want to create an initiative of their own, it will be much more difficult for them to get it on the ballot as well.
• The bill would make it so a single district could have veto power to prevent an initiative from getting on the ballot. If there were a concerted effort, possibly by people outside the state, to prevent one district from getting enough signatures, an initiative would not make it on the ballot.
• The LWVID has a position to “protect the citizen’s right to know and facilitate citizen participation in government decision-making.” This bill will negatively impact Idaho citizens’ ability to participate in government decision-making that provides voter choices on the ballot. (Note: the quote is from the LWVID position statements)
• The argument that rural districts are left out of the initiative and referendum processes is moot because they are already well-represented legislatively. Rural voters -will have an equal voice by being able to weigh in on the subject with a ‘yes’’ or ‘no’ vote on any initiative or referendum on the ballot, whether they signed a petition or not. In Fact, the bill will make it more difficult for volunteers to gather the necessary signatures by requiring more hours of travel time in reaching voters in geographically large districts.

For your reference included is the applicable section of the Idaho Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idconst/ArtIII/Sect1/

 ARTICLE III LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Section 1.  LEGISLATIVE POWER — ENACTING CLAUSE — REFERENDUM — INITIATIVE. The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a senate and house of representatives. The enacting clause of every bill shall be as follows: "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho."

The people reserve to themselves the power to approve or reject at the polls any act or measure passed by the legislature. This power is known as the referendum, and legal voters may, under such conditions and in such manner as may be provided by acts of the legislature, demand a referendum vote on any act or measure passed by the legislature and cause the same to be submitted to a vote of the people for their approval or rejection.

The people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and enact the same at the polls independent of the legislature. This power is known as the initiative, and legal voters may, under such conditions and in such manner as may be provided by acts of the legislature, initiate any desired legislation, and cause the same to be submitted to the vote of the people at a general election for their approval or rejection.