Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0638 – Presidential Primary Election System Creation
Bill Summary
This bill establishes a new presidential primary election system in Idaho, scheduled for the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year. The legislation makes party participation optional, requiring parties to notify the Secretary of State by late November if they intend to participate. Presidential candidates must file a declaration of candidacy with a $50,000 filing fee at least 90 days before the primary.
The bill maintains Idaho’s existing party affiliation rules for voting, allowing registered party members to vote in their party’s primary and permitting parties to open their primaries to unaffiliated voters or voters from other parties. Voters may change party affiliation up to the candidate filing deadline. The state assumes all costs related to the presidential primary, including ballot preparation and legal notices, with counties submitting certified claims for reimbursement.
The legislation integrates the presidential primary into existing election procedures, including postelection audits of paper ballots. Results are certified to state party chairs, who then select delegates to national conventions according to party rules. The bill includes provisions for candidate withdrawal and ballot removal, though no changes can be made within 45 days of the election.
Overall Assessment
This bill creates a state-funded presidential primary election system that will cost Idaho taxpayers money for an election process that political parties could conduct themselves. The $50,000 candidate filing fee creates a substantial financial barrier that could limit ballot access and reduce voter choice in presidential nominations. The legislation does expand postelection audit requirements to include presidential primaries, providing additional verification of election results.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
Section 34-738 mandates that "the state of Idaho shall assume all costs related to the presidential primary, including publication of legal notice and ballot preparation." This creates a new state expenditure for an election that political parties traditionally fund themselves. The bill transfers costs from private political parties to Idaho taxpayers without demonstrating fiscal necessity.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (1)
Section 34-1203A expands postelection audit requirements to include presidential primaries, stating that audits shall occur "after the completion of all county canvasses for any primary or general election, including any presidential primary election." This provides additional verification and transparency in the presidential nomination process. The bill maintains existing voter access provisions while adding accountability measures for this new election type.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address education policy, school funding, curriculum standards, parental rights in education, or any other education-related matters.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address agricultural policy, farming operations, ranching, agricultural markets, or water for agriculture.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address water rights, water appropriation, inter-basin transfers, dam operations, or water management.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address natural resource management, environmental policy, federal land issues, wilderness areas, or multiple-use principles.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address energy policy, energy independence, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, or fossil fuel development.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, technology transfer, or INL missions.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address private property rights, regulatory takings, eminent domain, or land use restrictions.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address state or federal land management, land ownership transfers, or reduction of federal land holdings.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address wildlife management, hunting, fishing, predator control, or landowner rights regarding wildlife.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not directly address commerce, industry, small business regulation, labor policy, taxation, or transportation infrastructure.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address healthcare policy, health insurance, patient rights, conscience protections for medical providers, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address family values, marriage, right to life, abortion, parental rights, or child welfare.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address policies affecting older Americans, senior services, or work-related penalties for seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary election procedures and does not address criminal justice, gun rights, the death penalty, drug policy, incarceration, juvenile justice, or state sovereignty.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address national defense, veterans' affairs, the Idaho National Guard, border security, or military operations.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill concerns presidential primary elections and does not address the election of judges or justices, judicial selection processes, partisan judicial elections, or methods of constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
This bill establishes presidential primary election procedures and does not address religious freedom, free exercise of religion, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or conscience protections.