Idaho Voters Support Change to State Initiative Process

PRESS RELEASE

March 22, 2019

Contact: Sean Ellis, (208) 220-5428

seanellis@idahofb.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Idaho Voters Support Change to State Initiative Process

Voters express desire for fairer and more balanced process that gives rural communities a voice

BOISE – March 22, 2019 – A statewide survey conducted from March 19-21 finds that 61 percent of Idaho voters believe changes are needed to the current ballot initiative process while just 22 percent of voters say the current ballot initiative process works well and needs no changes.

The survey found that 83 percent of Idahoans believe rural communities should have an equal voice to larger cities and counties in the state in determining which propositions qualify for the ballot. A significant number (79 percent) of Idahoans believe that the idea of requiring propositions to receive input and support from communities all around the state makes the process more fair and balanced.

More than three-fourths of voters (78 percent) agree that the idea of the state requiring a proposed proposition to get support from all parts of Idaho would ensure that urban areas of the state cannot dictate to rural communities which propositions get put on the ballot.

Almost six in 10 voters (59 percent) support requiring petitions be signed by at least 10 percent of registered voters, and 59 percent also support requiring signatures to be collected in at least 32 legislative districts. Idahoans believe these proposed changes give voters from rural communities a voice in the process.

“This survey of Idaho voters confirms that they want changes to the initiative process to ensure all Idahoans from across the entire state have a voice in the process,” said Idaho Farm Bureau President Bryan Searle. “The survey also shows that the reforms being considered by the Idaho Legislature to make sure that rural areas are on an equal footing with the urban areas have widespread support from Idaho voters.”

The survey of 500 Idaho registered voters was conducted March 19–21 by Moore Information. It has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

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