The bill revises the election process for single countywide highway district commissioners in Idaho, particularly in counties with populations exceeding 200,000. It mandates the division of such counties into five subdistricts, with commissioners required to reside in the subdistrict they represent. Voters in each subdistrict will elect one candidate, and the bill explicitly states that county commissioners, mayors, and city council members are ineligible to serve as highway district commissioners. Additionally, it introduces provisions for primary elections starting in 2028 and outlines the terms and salaries for the commissioners. The bill also amends various election-related sections, including the requirements for write-in candidates and the nomination process for countywide highway district offices.

Moreover, the bill addresses the filling of vacancies for political offices, specifying that county and single countywide highway district office vacancies will be filled by the county central committee, while state legislature vacancies will be filled by the legislative district central committee. It establishes timelines for these committees to fill vacancies and requires appointed candidates to file a declaration of candidacy and pay a fee. The bill also amends Section 34-905A of the Idaho Code to create a nonpartisan ballot for highway district commissioners, requiring a plurality for election, although these provisions do not apply to single countywide highway districts organized under a specific chapter of the Idaho Code. An emergency clause is included, making certain sections effective on July 1, 2026, and others on January 1, 2027.

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