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IdahoH 07362026 regular legislative sessionHouse

ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the form and contents of ballots to be prepared by the Secretary of State.

Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

ELECTIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Idaho sets one ballot format statewide

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Secretary of State sets the official forms for all ballots and election papers statewide. This covers absentee and sample ballots, voting machine labels, candidacy papers, poll books, and tally sheets. The Secretary also sets the layout for where offices, candidates, and statewide issues appear, so statewide races look the same everywhere. Names for legislative or special district offices appear only on ballots for voters in that district.

Rotating or random name order on ballots

Beginning July 1, 2026, areas with more than 25,000 registered voters use a name rotation method set by the Secretary of State for federal, state, county, and local offices. For other elections, the Secretary picks a random alphabet before each vote. Ballots list names using each candidate’s last-name first letter on that alphabet. Local officials must use these methods.

One office per candidate on ballots

Beginning July 1, 2026, a candidate cannot appear for more than one partisan office or more than one judicial office on the same ballot. A precinct committeeman candidate may also seek one other office on that ballot. This rule does not apply to presidential electors. Election officials enforce this when preparing ballots.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Anne Henderson Haws

    Democratic • House

  • James D. Ruchti

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 68 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 186 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/30/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 12:58 p.m. on March 26, 2026

    3/26/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/26/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/25/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/24/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1

    3/24/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/18/2026Senate

  10. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs

    3/6/2026Senate

  12. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  13. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 68-1-1

    3/5/2026House

  14. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day

    3/4/2026House

  15. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day

    3/3/2026House

  16. U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day

    3/2/2026House

  17. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/27/2026House

  18. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    2/26/2026House

  19. Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs

    2/20/2026House

  20. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/19/2026House

Bill Text

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