1. House Joint Resolution No. 5 (HJR 5): Citizens Only Voting Amendment
What It Does: Proposes an amendment to Idaho’s Constitution to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in Idaho elections.
Key Points of Support:
- Protects Election Integrity: By enshrining citizenship-only voting rights in the Constitution, this amendment strengthens Idaho’s commitment to secure, trustworthy elections. Ensuring that only U.S. citizens influence local decisions reinforces American values and sovereignty in Idaho’s democratic process.
- Long-Term Security Against Policy Changes: Placing this restriction in the Constitution safeguards it from sudden changes by future administrations, offering stability for Idaho’s values over time.
For further details, view the official Idaho Voter Guide.
2. Proposition One: Idaho Open Primaries Act
What It Does: Seeks to replace Idaho’s current primary election process with a “Top-Four Primary” and introduces ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the general election.
Concerns Worth Considering:
- Complexity Risks Voter Confidence: Ranked-choice voting is a multi-step process that can confuse those accustomed to single-choice voting, which may reduce participation and complicate vote counting. Voters might lose confidence if they feel uncertain about how their votes are counted.
- Cost Concerns: Implementing RCV requires new software, voter education, and training for election officials, leading to high costs. For Idahoans focused on fiscal responsibility, the funds required for RCV might seem excessive, especially given Idaho’s other pressing needs in infrastructure and education.
- Potential Shift from “One Person, One Vote”: RCV alters the straightforward approach to voting, where each vote counts equally in a single round. Some argue that RCV could lessen the impact of primary choices and dilute the traditional voting structure Idahoans value.
- Opens Primaries to Cross-Party Influence: A Top-Four Primary allows all voters to participate in selecting general election candidates, which could invite cross-party voting. This raises concerns about potential interference and manipulation, where voters could strategically influence the opposite party’s candidate selection.
To learn more about Proposition One, refer to the Idaho Voter Guide.