This bill amends various sections of the Idaho Code to enhance and clarify election procedures, particularly concerning the filing of declarations of candidacy and intent for different types of elections, including magistrate, recreation district, library district, and municipal elections. Key updates include the establishment of specific deadlines for candidates to file their declarations, such as requiring declarations of intent for write-in candidates to be submitted during a designated time period rather than a fixed number of days before the election. The bill also introduces new provisions for the registration process, changing the voter registration application deadline from twenty-four days to eleven days before an election, and ensuring that mail registration applications are received by the county clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the eleventh day prior to the election.

Additionally, the bill modifies the nomination process for board members and port districts, allowing nominations to be filed during a specified time period and declaring candidates elected without an election if the number of qualified candidates matches the available positions. It also extends the timeframe for county commissioners to canvass election returns from five to nine days and updates confidentiality provisions for judicial officers' addresses, allowing them to apply for exemptions for four years. An emergency clause is included, making the act effective on July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to streamline election processes and ensure clarity and accessibility for candidates and voters.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 1-2220, 31-4306, 33-2705, 33-2717A, 34-106, 34-408, 34-410, 34-625, 34-625A, 34-702A, 34-704, 34-705, 34-712, 34-714, 34-715, 34-717, 34-1012, 34-1205, 34-1404, 34-1405A, 34-1407, 40-1305C, 42-3211, 50-407, 50-410, 67-4911, 70-1108, 19-6203