Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0697 – Election Crime Reorganization Act
Bill Summary
This bill repeals Idaho Code section 18-2306 and replaces it with three separate code sections that reorganize existing election crime statutes. The new Section 18-2306 defines illegal voting as a felony for anyone not entitled to vote who fraudulently votes, votes more than once, or submits multiple folded tickets together. Section 18-2306A establishes interference with elections as a felony, covering ballot tampering, adding fraudulent ballots to ballot boxes, destroying poll lists or ballots, and interfering with election officers or voters. Section 18-2306B makes tampering with voting machines or vote tally systems a felony by reference to existing provisions in Idaho Code section 34-2404.
The bill takes a single combined statute and divides it into three distinct criminal code sections without substantively changing the underlying criminal prohibitions or penalties. All offenses remain classified as felonies. The legislation includes an emergency clause declaring it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill is a technical reorganization of existing Idaho election crime statutes that does not substantively alter criminal prohibitions, penalties, or election procedures. The legislation divides one code section into three separate sections for organizational clarity, but the underlying legal framework remains unchanged. All criminal offenses continue to be classified as felonies with the same elements and penalties as under current law.
The bill receives a score of zero across all evaluation metrics because it is purely a structural reorganization that does not introduce new policy directions, expand or restrict rights, or change substantive law. While the reorganization may improve statutory clarity for prosecutors and legal practitioners, it does not advance, impede, or otherwise relate to any of the specific policy priorities outlined in the evaluation framework. The bill maintains the status quo in election crime enforcement without creating new impacts on government responsibility, citizen involvement, property rights, law enforcement priorities, or any other measured policy area.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill reorganizes existing election crime statutes without changing government structure, accountability mechanisms, or the scope of government authority. The reorganization is purely technical and does not affect how government operates or its responsibilities to citizens.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill maintains existing election crime prohibitions without altering voter access, election procedures, or opportunities for citizen participation in government. The reorganization does not expand or restrict citizen involvement in any way.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
This bill addresses election crime statutes and has no connection to education policy, school funding, curriculum, or educational institutions.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and has no relationship to agricultural policy, farming operations, or rural economic interests.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This bill concerns election crime statutes and does not address water rights, water quality, or water resource management in any way.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill reorganizes criminal statutes related to elections and has no impact on natural resource management, environmental protection, or conservation policies.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This bill addresses election crime statutes and has no connection to energy production, energy policy, or energy infrastructure.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and does not relate to the Idaho National Laboratories, nuclear research, or related economic development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes without affecting property ownership, land use regulations, or eminent domain authority. The legislation does not impact private property rights.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This bill concerns election crime statutes and has no relationship to state or federal land management, land transfers, or public land policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and does not address wildlife management, hunting regulations, or conservation of animal populations.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
This bill is a technical reorganization of criminal statutes that does not affect taxation, business regulation, economic development, or fiscal policy.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and has no connection to healthcare policy, public health programs, or welfare services.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
This bill addresses election crime statutes and does not relate to family structure, parental rights, marriage policy, or family-related social issues.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and has no impact on senior citizens, retirement security, or programs serving older Americans.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
This bill reorganizes existing election crime statutes without changing criminal penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or the substantive elements of any offense. The reorganization maintains the status quo in law enforcement rather than advancing new priorities in criminal justice.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
This bill concerns election crime statutes and has no relationship to national defense, border security, or immigration enforcement.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill reorganizes statutes related to election crimes generally but does not address judicial selection methods, judicial elections, or the structure of Idaho courts.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
This bill reorganizes election crime statutes and has no connection to religious freedom, religious expression, or the relationship between government and religious institutions.