ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to include the office of the president of the United States into the state primary election and to move the primary election date to the Tuesday following the first Monday in May.
Summary
S1366 would amend Idaho election law to move the state primary election date to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May and to include the office of President of the United States in the state primary election process. The bill is designed to make the timing of primary elections consistent with general elections, which already occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, creating a six-month spacing between the two election dates.
The stated goals are to improve consistency, fiscal responsibility, and voter turnout. The bill also contemplates a presidential primary rather than the current county-level presidential caucus system, with the sponsor’s fiscal note estimating that a separate presidential primary could cost about $2.5 million every four years depending on filing fees. The bill was reported printed and referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee, but no committee transcript or vote history was provided in the materials.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would revise multiple sections of Idaho election code to change the timing of primary elections statewide and to formally place presidential selection into the primary election framework. It would affect election administration by county election officials, candidates filing for primary contests, and voters participating in both regular and presidential primaries. The bill could also shift Idaho away from a caucus-based presidential nomination process toward a state-run primary, with potential fiscal implications tied to election administration costs.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill materials is supportive and reform-oriented. The statement of purpose emphasizes consistency, fiscal responsibility, and increased turnout, suggesting the measure is presented as an administrative improvement to the election system. No opposing testimony, recorded debate, or votes were included, so there is no documented committee-level controversy in the provided record.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the cost and logistics of adding a presidential primary to the state primary election system. The sponsor’s fiscal note acknowledges that a separate presidential primary could cost approximately $2.5 million every four years, which may raise concerns about election expenses even as the bill claims fiscal responsibility. Another possible issue is the policy change from a county-level presidential caucus to a state-run primary, which could affect party processes and election administration, though no specific opposition was recorded in the provided materials.
Amends existing law to provide that cities with 25,000 residents or less may provide for election of councilmen by districts and that cities with greater than 25,000 residents shall provide for the election of councilmen by districts.
Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the electronic publication of public notices on the State Controller's website and to revise provisions regarding publication by first class mail.