Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0698 – Out-of-State Treason Conviction Voting Ban
Bill Summary
House Bill 698 amends Idaho Code Section 18-310(4) to prohibit persons convicted of treason in other states or jurisdictions from registering and voting in Idaho, even after completing their sentences. Currently, Idaho law allows persons convicted of felonies in other states to register and vote upon final discharge (completion of imprisonment, probation, and parole). The bill adds six words—”except for persons convicted of treason”—to create a permanent voting ban for this specific category of out-of-state convictions.
The amendment maintains existing provisions that deny firearm rights to out-of-state felons in the same manner as Idaho felons, but creates a unique voting restriction. While Idaho residents convicted of treason in Idaho courts have their voting rights restored upon final discharge under subsection (2), this bill ensures out-of-state treason convictions result in permanent disenfranchisement in Idaho. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective July 1, 2026.
Overall Assessment
This bill permanently bars individuals convicted of treason in other states from voting in Idaho, even after completing their sentences. The change creates a narrow exception affecting a very small population of potential voters who have been convicted of treason in other jurisdictions. The amendment is a technical modification to existing felon voting rights restoration law that adds one specific exclusion category.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill modifies voting eligibility criteria for out-of-state treason convictions under Section 18-310(4). This metric addresses fiscal responsibility, taxation, congressional reform, and legislative operations. The bill's narrow change to civil rights restoration for a specific category of felons does not intersect with government spending, regulatory reform, or fiscal policy matters.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill adds "except for persons convicted of treason" to exclude out-of-state treason convicts from voting rights restoration. While this technically restricts voting access for a narrow category, the metric focuses on citizen education, primary election processes, opposition to ranked-choice voting, and election integrity measures like paper ballots and voter ID. The bill does not address these broader participation or election administration issues.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The amendment to Section 18-310(4) concerns voting eligibility for persons convicted of treason in other jurisdictions. This metric addresses education policy including parental rights, school choice, curriculum standards, and higher education. The bill's modification of civil rights restoration has no connection to educational systems or policies.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill modifies voting rights restoration provisions for out-of-state felons. This metric covers agricultural education, trade policy affecting agriculture, water rights for farming, and support for family farms. The civil rights provisions in Section 18-310(4) do not relate to agricultural policy or rural economic issues.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill adds an exception for treason convictions to felon voting rights restoration under Section 18-310(4). This metric addresses water rights, inter-basin transfers, prior appropriation doctrine, and dam policy. The amendment to civil rights restoration procedures has no connection to water resource management or policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The amendment concerns voting eligibility for persons convicted of treason in other states. This metric covers environmental stewardship, federal environmental regulations, natural resource utilization, and wilderness management. The bill's narrow modification to Section 18-310(4) does not address environmental or natural resource policy.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill modifies civil rights restoration by excluding out-of-state treason convicts from voting rights. This metric addresses energy independence, resource development, oil exploration, electrical rates, and hydroelectric power. The voting eligibility change in Section 18-310(4) has no relationship to energy policy or development.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The amendment adds a treason exception to voting rights restoration for out-of-state felons. This metric focuses on Idaho National Laboratory operations, nuclear power research, technology transfer, and alternative energy development. The bill does not address research facilities, technology policy, or INL-related matters.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill modifies Section 18-310(4) to exclude treason convicts from voting rights restoration. This metric addresses Fifth Amendment property protections, eminent domain, just compensation, and opposition to regulatory takings. The civil rights restoration provisions do not intersect with property rights or land use regulations.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The amendment concerns voting eligibility for out-of-state treason convictions. This metric addresses federal land ownership limits and Idaho management of state and federal lands. The bill's modification to felon voting rights has no connection to land management or federal-state land policy.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill adds an exception to Section 18-310(4) for persons convicted of treason in other jurisdictions. This metric covers fish and game management, hunting and fishing access, and predator control. The voting rights provision does not relate to wildlife management or recreational access policies.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The amendment excludes out-of-state treason convicts from voting rights restoration upon final discharge. This metric addresses economic growth, commerce and industry, small business support, labor policy, and transportation infrastructure. The bill's narrow civil rights modification does not impact economic development or business policy.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill modifies voting eligibility under Section 18-310(4) by adding a treason exception. This metric covers healthcare delivery systems, opposition to socialized medicine, conscience clauses, health savings accounts, and child support enforcement. The civil rights restoration provision has no connection to healthcare or welfare policy.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The amendment adds "except for persons convicted of treason" to voting rights restoration for out-of-state felons. This metric addresses traditional family values, government support for families, traditional marriage, right to life, and parental rights. The bill does not address family structure, marriage policy, or child welfare issues.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
The bill excludes out-of-state treason convicts from voting rights restoration in Section 18-310(4). This metric focuses on supporting older Americans and opposing policies that penalize seniors who work. The voting eligibility change does not specifically affect older Americans or senior-related policies.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
The bill adds a treason exception to Section 18-310(4), permanently barring out-of-state treason convicts from voting in Idaho. While this relates to consequences for criminal convictions, the metric emphasizes punishment, restitution to victims, gun rights, death penalty, incarceration policy, and juvenile justice. The narrow voting restriction does not substantively engage with these criminal justice system priorities or sentencing frameworks.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The amendment concerns voting rights for persons convicted of treason in other jurisdictions. This metric addresses military strength, veterans' affairs, missile defense, border security, and terrorism prevention. While treason is mentioned, the bill's focus on civil rights restoration procedures does not relate to national defense, military policy, or border security operations.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill modifies voter eligibility by excluding out-of-state treason convicts from registration under Section 18-310(4). This metric addresses judicial election processes, partisan selection of judges, and constitutional interpretation principles. The felon voting rights provision does not concern judicial selection, court procedures, or constitutional interpretation methods.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The amendment adds a treason exception to voting rights restoration for out-of-state felons. This metric addresses religious freedom, free exercise of religion, and Religious Freedom Restoration Act protections. The bill's modification to Section 18-310(4) does not involve religious liberty, conscience rights, or government interference in religious practices.