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Turnover of election officials has been lower in smaller jurisdictions over the past two decades. (MyPhotoBuddy/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Steady increase in election staff changes over past two decades, report finds

A new report dives into election official turnover during more than two decades. It says rates have increased steadily nationwide since 2000…

Gathering signatures for ballot measures can be hard during the snowy winter months. (MAriusz/Adobe Stock)

ID bill could add restrictions to ballot initiative process

Idaho lawmakers are once again looking to change the ballot initiative process in the state. With a little more than a week left in the session…

Reunir firmas para medidas electorales puede resultar dif�cil durante la nieve de los meses de invierno. (MAriusz/Adobe Stock)

Proyecto de ley de ID pondría restricciones al proceso de iniciativa electoral

Los legisladores de Idaho pretenden cambiar una vez más el proceso de iniciativa electoral en el estado. A poco más de una semana del final …

Casi 250.000 votantes de Idaho no est�n afiliados a ninguno de los principales partidos pol�ticos. (Dalton Overlin-Wirestock/Adobe Stock)

Veteranos de ID apoyan iniciativa de elecciones primarias abiertas

Los habitantes de Idaho están recolectando firmas para una iniciativa que abriría las elecciones primarias, y la medida cuenta con el …

Nearly 250,000 Idaho voters are unaffiliated with either major political party. (Dalton Overlin-Wirestock/Adobe Stock)

ID veterans support open primary elections initiative

Idahoans are collecting signatures for an initiative that would open up primary elections, and the measure has support from some of the state's …

In Idaho, voters don't need an excuse to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. (The Toidi/Adobe Stock)

Faster postal service speed improves voter turnout, research finds

When the postal service works better, people are more likely to vote - according to new research. The study published in the Election Law Journal …

Idaho lawmakers passed changes to voter registration during the 2023 session. (Mark Bradbury/Adobe Stock)

ID Voter Registration Law Could Hurt Ballot Measures' Chances

Voter registration has changed in Idaho. Along with reducing the number of eligible voters, critics say it could also hurt ballot initiatives' …

The Idaho law banning gender affirming care for youth goes into effect in 2024. (Mark Bradbury/Adobe Stock)

ID Anti-Trans Laws Tied to Anti-Democracy Movement, Group Says

Idaho lawmakers passed several measures this session that target transgender people. One group says this effort is connected to a wider movement to …

Reclaim Idaho led a campaign to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot in 2018 - a measure that ultimately passed. (Kencf0618/Wikimedia Commons)

Ballot Measures Face Tougher Road to Qualification Under ID Resolution

Idaho lawmakers are attempting to change the ballot initiative process again - this time with an amendment to the state Constitution. Senate Joint …

In Idaho's 2022 Republican primary, eight incumbent senators lost and 13 current senators didn't run. (Eldon/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Anti-Democracy Candidates Could Gain Seats in ID Legislature

Far-right candidates made inroads in Idaho's Republican primary and likely will have seats in the state Legislature after November's election - but so…

About half of Americans believe the United States will cease to be a democracy one day, according to a recent survey. (rarrarorro/Adobe Stock)

Many See Democracy in Peril as US Celebrates Independence Day

It's July 4th, a celebration of the United States' independence. It's also an opportunity to take a look at the state of the country's democracy…

The Fort Hall Reservation is located in southeast Idaho and spans three different legislative districts under the new map. (legislature.idaho.gov)

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Sue Over ID Voting Map

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are adding to a slew of legal challenges to Idaho's legislative voting maps. The Idaho Commission for Reapportionment …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

BOISE, Idaho -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Before Wednesday's siege on the U.S. Capitol, far-right protesters stormed the Idaho Capitol in August. (Ken Wilcox/Flickr)

Summer Protests in Boise Mirror U.S. Capitol Breaching

BOISE, Idaho - Scenes of supporters of President Donald Trump breaking windows and breaching the U.S. Capitol shocked the nation this week - and were …

Ammon Bundy's group People's Rights has more than 20,000 followers, according to a new report. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: ID-Based Far Right Militia Network Grows Across U.S.

BOISE, Idaho - Membership in a network of self-styled militia groups reportedly has expanded from Idaho to 15 other states. A new report called …

Matt Hildreth, head of Ruralorganizing.org, says some disinformation campaigns online are meant to incite violence. (momius/Adobe Stock)

'Planeload of Thugs' Conspiracy Traced to ID Man's Facebook Post

EMMETT, Idaho - This week, President Donald Trump made a false claim that planes "loaded with thugs" were being sent to towns to take them over…

Thirty-five states ban employers from asking job-seekers about their criminal records on applications. (thanksforbuying/Adobe Stock)

ID Bill Would Give Formerly Incarcerated 'Fair Chance' at Work

BOISE, Idaho -- People with criminal records often struggle to find work after they're released from prison. But now Idaho lawmakers are …

There are a number of bills in the Idaho Legislature this session aimed at the state's transgender population. (Kenneth Freeman/Flickr)

ID Lawmakers Target Trans Community with Birth Certificate Bill

BOISE, Idaho -- The Idaho Senate will decide on a bill that would bar transgender people from changing their birth certificates to match their gender …

The Idaho Speaks town-hall tour came to Coeur d'Alene on July 30, packing the meeting hall. (Reclaim Idaho)

Idahoans Speak Up About Legislative Attempt to Curtail Citizen Initiatives

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Critics of a bid by Idaho legislators to restrict the citizen initiative process continue their tour across the state…

The Boise Pride Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. (Kenneth Freeman/Flickr)

Capitol Could Go Dark for Boise Pride Festival

BOISE, Idaho – Boise is set to host one of its biggest pride festivals ever, but the Idaho State Capitol might not be part of the festivities…

Critics say computer programs that perform risk assessments on defendants in criminal cases aren't blind and actually contain racial bias. (pixel2013/Pixabay)

Bill Clamps Down on "Racially Biased" Algorithms Used in Trials

BOISE, Idaho – Critics of computer algorithms that predict someone's risk of committing a crime say they're tinged with racial bias. A …

The vigil for children who have died due to the faith-healing exemption is being held at the Capitol rotunda. (Jim Bowen/Flickr)

Vigil at Capitol Honors Child Victims of Faith-Healing Exemption

BOISE, Idaho – Opponents to Idaho's religious exemptions to providing medical care for children are gathering at the State Capitol Building …

Idaho and Utah this year became the last two states to protect breastfeeding in public. (sandra.o.m/Twenty20)

World Breastfeeding Week: ACA Has Resources for Moms

BOISE, Idaho – It's World Breastfeeding Week, and one health professional is letting moms know the Affordable Care Act can provide them with …

State officials estimate Idaho's prison population will reach 10,000 by 2022. (jodylehigh/Pixabay)

With Possible Prison Expansion Coming, How Can Idaho Slow Incarceration?

BOISE, Idaho – A $500-million-dollar prison expansion proposal is likely heading to the Idaho Legislature next year. What else could the …

An exclusion for pregnant women was included in a 2005 Idaho law allowing people to write living wills. (adistar/Twenty20)

Suit Filed Against ID Law Voiding Pregnant Women's Living Wills

BOISE, Idaho – A lawsuit has been filed over an Idaho law that voids women's living wills if they become pregnant. Legal Voice and the end-of-…

Idaho laws grant the public access to government records and meetings. (joevare/Flickr)

Sunshine Week: Promoting Transparency in Government

BOISE, Idaho – The transparency and openness of government is in the spotlight this Sunshine Week. Events around the country, led in large …

Hate crimes against Muslims increased 54 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to FBI statistics. (Samia Ann El Moslimany/CAIR-Washington State)

Critics: Idaho's Anti-Sharia Law Bill Based on "Misconceptions"

BOISE, Idaho – Members of the Muslim community are speaking out against Idaho legislation they say is targeting them. House Bill 419 passed …

The coffins at Monday's march signify the children who have died from faith-based medical neglect in Idaho. (Bruce Wingate)

Opponents of Religious Exemption Carry Children's Coffins to Capitol

BOISE, Idaho – Marchers will carry 183 child-sized coffins to the State Capitol Monday to honor and symbolize each of the children they say …

States have never called for a convention under Article V of the Constitution. (Chuck Coker/Flickr)

Constitutional Convention On the Table Again in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho lawmakers are once again proposing joining 28 other states in the call for a Constitutional Convention. On Thursday…

About 2,500 refugees have resettled in Twin Falls since the 1980s. (Danny Canfield/Flickr)

Groups Work to Counter Hate, Discrimination in Twin Falls

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – On Sunday, Adrienne Evans, executive director of United Vision for Idaho, addressed Twin Falls about what her coalition …

A hearing was held Monday on a bill concerning faith-healing exemption laws in Idaho. (DieselDemon/Flickr)

Faith Healing Bill Doesn't Go Far Enough, Critics Say

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Senate held a hearing on a bill Monday concerning the exemption faith healing receives as a medical practice for …

State legislators want to enact Article V in order to add a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. (Wikilmages/PIxabay)

Defeated in ID Senate, Constitutional Convention Lives On

BOISE, Idaho – So far, 28 states have passed resolutions calling for a Constitutional Convention to add an amendment requiring the federal …

A federal judge struck down Idaho's ag-gag law, which cracks down on whistleblowers who reveal conditions for animals at agricultural facilities. (Stephane Mignon/Flickr)

ID Challenge to 'Ag-Gag' Ruling Goes to Federal Appeals Court

BOISE, Idaho -- When a district court threw out Idaho's "ag-gag" law, the state appealed the ruling - and that case is still in court. Oral …

A new report finds violent or abusive conditions have been documented in Idaho's youth facilities in the past five years. (DieselDemon/Flickr)

Report: Abuse in Youth Prisons Documented, Including in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho – A new report from The Annie E. Casey Foundation pulls together evidence of the ineffectiveness of youth correctional facilities…

Idaho legislators hold their second work-group meeting on religious exemption laws and faith healing Oct. 10 at the State Capitol. (JSquish/Wikimedia Commons)

ID Lawmakers' 'Faith' in Spiritual-Healing Exemptions to be Tested Again

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho lawmakers once again take up the religious exemption law this month. It's hard to say how many children have died as a …

Researchers who looked at more than 500,000 military casualties found U.S. troops from low-income areas have more limited access to health services. (Pixabay)

Study: Troops from Poorer Parts of U.S. Face 'Unequal Burden' of War

BOISE, Idaho – The scars of war might be deeper for soldiers who come from poorer areas of the country, according to a new study. Francis …

Voting-rights advocates are cheering a U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the

"One Person, One Vote" Upheld by U.S. Supreme Court

BOISE, Idaho - Voting-rights advocates are declaring victory, after the U.S. Supreme Court decided unanimously on Monday to reject a push to draw …

PHOTO: A panel discussion on Idaho's so-called 'ag-gag' law is planned for today at the Idaho State Bar classroom in Boise. The law is being challenged in federal court on constitutional-rights grounds. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith.

Idaho's Controversial "Ag-Gag" Law to Be Dissected Today

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho's so-called "ag-gag" law is up for discussion Thursday. The law was already controversial when it was being considered by …

PHOTO: A new poll shows 67-percent of Idahoans of all political stripes support immigration reform drafted by the so-called 'Gang of Eight' in the U.S. Senate. Demonstrators rallied for reform last month in Boise. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith

Survey Says: Idahoans Support Immigration Reform

BOISE, Idaho - Sixty-seven percent of Idahoans polled recently said they support the immigration reform package drafted by the so-called "Gang of …

GRAPHIC: Some Idahoans are dancing at the State Capitol today, as part of the One Billion Rising campaign - calling for an end to violence against women.

Valentine’s Day Dancing on the Statehouse Steps

BOISE, Idaho - A few hundred men and women are putting on the moves today on the Statehouse steps in Boise for a Valentine's Day dance. It's part of …

'Sticky Situation' at the Statehouse This Year?

BOISE, Idaho - A "sticky situation" is guaranteed to arise at the Idaho Statehouse this year, as volunteers are standing by with hundreds of sticky …

Occupy Boise Hits the Streets Again Today

BOISE, Idaho - The Occupy Wall Street rallies and marches have spread to Idaho, with several hundred protesters expected at events in downtown Boise …

Study Finds ID "Needs Improvement" to Encourage Young Voters

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho is in the top third of states in a new survey of how states treat their younger voters - but even near the top, there's room for …

Boise a Player in BP Debate This Week

BOISE, Idaho - Boise is an unlikely hot spot in the BP oil spill controversy this week. Idaho's capital was randomly selected as host city for a …

500 Join Hands Around the Idaho Statehouse Today

BOISE, Idaho - Five hundred people are expected to be at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise today, joining hands to circle the building to mark the 20th …

Idaho’s Prison Population Bucks National Trend

BOISE, Idaho - A yearly tally of state prison populations shows that, nationwide, numbers are lower than the previous year for the first time since 19…

Idaho Legislature Set to Take Up Pay Equity

Boise, ID – A little something has been missing from Idaho women's paychecks – and it amounts to a 40 percent dent in salaries. According …

Workplace Discrimination Stopper on Tap at Statehouse

Boise, ID – An Idaho legislative committee is deciding today whether to update the Idaho Human Rights Act to add non-discrimination protections …

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