Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0872 – Idaho General Election Ballot Format Change
Bill Summary
House Bill 872 amends Section 34-906 of Idaho Code by deleting subsection (3), which previously required the Secretary of State to provide separate ballot forms for constitutional amendments and other issues during general elections. Under the deleted provision, whenever voters were asked to decide on constitutional amendments or ballot issues, those items had to appear on a physically distinct ballot from the candidate ticket. The bill removes this requirement entirely, effective July 1, 2026, under an emergency declaration.
The practical effect is that constitutional amendments and ballot issues will now appear on the same single general election ballot as candidate races, rather than on a separate form. The bill adds no new language — it only removes the 38-word subsection mandating separate ballot forms. The remaining provisions of Section 34-906, governing the single-ballot format for party tickets and the ordering of offices by federal rank, remain unchanged.
Overall Assessment
This bill eliminates Idaho’s statutory requirement that constitutional amendments and ballot issues be printed on separate ballot forms during general elections, consolidating all election content onto a single ballot. The change affects election administration procedures managed by the Secretary of State’s office and alters the physical voting experience for Idaho electors. The policy impact is narrow and administrative — it removes a ballot formatting rule without changing who can vote, what can appear on the ballot, or how votes are counted.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. Responsibility in Government (0)
The deletion of subsection (3) changes how ballots are physically formatted, not how government is structured, funded, or held accountable. Removing the separate-ballot requirement for constitutional amendments has no bearing on fiscal responsibility, government size, or transparency in public administration.
ARTICLE II. Citizen Involvement in Government (0)
The bill changes ballot formatting but leaves intact voters' ability to participate in elections, vote on constitutional amendments, and engage in the initiative and referendum process. Consolidating amendments onto a single ballot neither expands nor restricts citizen access to the ballot or the issues placed before them.
ARTICLE III. Education (0)
The bill addresses only the physical format of general election ballots and has no connection to education funding, curriculum, parental rights, school choice, or any other education policy matter.
ARTICLE IV. Agriculture (0)
The bill's sole change is removing the requirement for separate ballot forms for constitutional amendments. It has no bearing on agricultural policy, water law as it affects farming, trade, or rural land use.
ARTICLE V. Water (0)
The bill governs election ballot formatting and has no connection to water rights, prior appropriation doctrine, inter-basin transfers, or any water management policy.
ARTICLE VI. Natural Resources and Environment (0)
Removing the separate-ballot requirement for constitutional amendments has no effect on natural resource management, environmental stewardship, federal land policy, or forest and wilderness issues.
ARTICLE VII. Energy (0)
The bill addresses election ballot formatting exclusively and has no connection to energy production, hydroelectric power, deregulation, or energy independence policy.
ARTICLE VIII. Idaho National Laboratories (0)
The bill's changes to general election ballot formatting have no relevance to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development policy.
ARTICLE IX. Private Property Rights (0)
The deletion of the separate-ballot requirement involves no property rights, takings, due process protections, or land use regulations of any kind.
ARTICLE X. State and Federal Lands (0)
The bill governs how election ballots are formatted and has no connection to state or federal land ownership, management, or transfer policies.
ARTICLE XI. Wildlife Management (0)
The bill's sole change is a ballot formatting rule and has no bearing on fish and game management, hunting and fishing rights, or predator control policy.
ARTICLE XII. Economy (0)
Removing the separate-ballot requirement for constitutional amendments has no effect on commerce, small business regulation, labor markets, or economic development policy.
ARTICLE XIII. Health and Welfare (0)
The bill addresses election administration procedures and has no connection to health care delivery, insurance regulation, welfare programs, or public health policy.
ARTICLE XIV. American Family (0)
The bill's change to ballot formatting has no impact on family policy, marriage law, right-to-life issues, or child protection statutes.
ARTICLE XV. Older Americans (0)
The bill governs the physical format of general election ballots and has no connection to services, employment, or policies affecting older Idahoans.
ARTICLE XVI. Law and Order with Justice (0)
The deletion of the separate-ballot requirement is an administrative election change with no bearing on criminal justice, gun rights, drug policy, incarceration, or judicial processes.
ARTICLE XVII. National Defense - Securing the Border (0)
The bill addresses election ballot formatting and has no connection to national defense, border security, veterans' affairs, or military policy.
ARTICLE XVIII. Election of Judges and Idaho Supreme Court Justices (0)
The deleted subsection (3) governed the formatting of ballots for constitutional amendments and issues — not the election of judges or justices. The bill does not alter how judicial candidates appear on ballots, how judicial elections are conducted, or any principle related to judicial selection.
ARTICLE XIX. Religious Liberty (0)
The bill's change to general election ballot formatting has no connection to religious freedom, conscience protections, or any religious liberty policy.