The bill amends the Idaho Code to revise the election process for countywide highway district commissioners, particularly in counties with populations exceeding 200,000. It establishes a system where the county is divided into five subdistricts, with commissioners required to reside in the subdistrict they represent. Starting in 2028, primary elections will be introduced, necessitating candidates to declare their political party affiliation. Voters will only be able to vote for candidates from their specific subdistrict, and the bill also sets terms and salaries for the commissioners while making technical corrections to existing election laws.

Additionally, the bill repeals a previous section concerning nonpartisan ballots for highway district commissioners, replacing it with new language that allows for nonpartisan ballots but requires a plurality for election. It also clarifies the nomination and election processes for political party candidates, particularly for county offices and highway district offices, by allowing county central committees to fill vacancies in the candidate slate. The bill specifies that candidates for highway district commissioner must indicate their party affiliation or status as unaffiliated on the ballot. Various sections of the bill will take effect at different times, with some provisions implemented immediately and others in 2026 and 2027.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 40-1404A, 34-625, 34-625A, 34-702, 34-702A, 34-703, 34-704, 34-705, 34-706, 34-708, 34-712, 34-714, 34-715, 34-905A