STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS28687 / H0255
The purpose of this bill is to improve voting integrity consistently across counties and legislative districts,
increase confidence in Idaho’s election results, and provide an auditing process led by the Secretary of State for
examining the validity of affidavits signed by those who vote without any photo ID. Revisions include requiring
a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID for new voter registrations. For those Idahoans who do not have a
driver’s license, a state-issued photo ID would be provided for free to those wanting to register to vote.
FISCAL NOTE
The fiscal impact would be unlikely to exceed $2,000,000, which would cover the cost of issuing a free state
photo ID to individuals who do not have a driver’s license and would need to acquire a state-issued photo ID to
register to vote. This legislation establishes the Election Integrity Fund, from which funds would be transferred
to cover these possible issuance costs, at $10 per ID issued. The Legislature would determine how much money
to transfer to the Election Integrity Fund each year, through its ordinary JFAC budgeting processes. In 2020,
there were approximately 200,000 registered voters without a state-issued photo ID number on file. It is likely,
however, that many of these individuals do, in fact, have a current driver’s license. In addition, this legislation
would not require most of these 200,000 registrants to re-register with a state-issued photo ID. Therefore, the
need to issue free state photo ID's will be gradual, as new or relocating voters without driver’s licenses register
to vote.
Contact:
Representative Brandon Mitchell
(208) 332-1000
Sen. Regina Bayer
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 02/26/2021, 10:10 AM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 34-408A, 34-409, 34-410, 34-411, 34-1113, 34-1114, 49-2444