ELECTIONS – Amends and adds to 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
S1398 amends Idaho election law to move the state primary election date to the Tuesday following the first Monday in May and to include the office of President of the United States in the state primary election process. The bill’s stated purpose is to create consistency between primary and general election timing, with the primary and general election occurring on Tuesdays exactly six months apart. It also seeks to increase turnout and improve fiscal responsibility by replacing the current presidential caucus approach with a presidential primary held as part of the regular primary election cycle.
Under the bill, several sections of Idaho election code would be revised to reflect the new May primary date and to incorporate presidential nomination voting into the state primary framework. The fiscal note states there would be no impact to the general fund because Idaho currently uses county-level presidential caucuses, but it estimates a separate presidential primary could cost about $2.5 million every four years if conducted independently. The bill therefore affects election administration, county election operations, and the timing of candidate filing and ballot preparation for both state and presidential contests.
Impact
The bill would change Idaho election statutes governing the timing of primary elections and would add the presidential office to the state primary election structure. This would require election officials to administer primaries in May rather than on the current schedule and would likely alter related deadlines for candidate filing, ballot certification, and election preparation. It would also shift presidential selection from a caucus-based process to a primary-based process within the state election code, affecting voters, county clerks, and political parties.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had meaningful support in the Senate, passing third reading 23-10. The statement of purpose frames the measure as a practical reform aimed at consistency, turnout, and fiscal responsibility, indicating a generally favorable posture among supporters. At the same time, the recorded opposition shows that a substantial minority of senators were not persuaded by the change, suggesting the bill was somewhat controversial even though it advanced.
Contention
The main points of contention appear to be the shift from Idaho’s existing presidential caucus system to a presidential primary and the broader change in election timing. Supporters emphasize improved turnout, consistency, and cost predictability, while opponents likely object to the administrative change, the policy choice to move presidential selection into the primary system, or the implications for party control and election logistics. The 23-10 Senate vote indicates these concerns were significant enough to generate organized opposition, even though no committee transcript is available to identify specific arguments.
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.
Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to remove provisions previously related to the Department of Health and Welfare that are now assigned to other state agencies.