Idaho Constitutional Amendment HJR4, Require 35 Legislative Districts Amendment (2020)

Idaho Constitutional Amendment HJR 4
Election date November 3, 2020
Topic State legislatures measures
Status a Approved
Type Constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature
List of Idaho measuresIdaho Constitutional Amendment HJR 4Submit

Idaho Constitutional Amendment HJR 4, the Require 35 Legislative Districts Amendment was on the ballot in Idaho as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported removing language in the state constitution that allows the legislature to have between 30 and 35 legislative districts and instead requiring the legislature to consist of 35 districts.

A "no" vote opposed adding the requirement of 35 legislative districts to the Idaho Constitution, thereby maintaining that the number of legislative districts be determined by state statute.

Election results

Idaho Constitutional Amendment HJR4
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		525,779	67.95%
No		247,966	32.05%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

How did Constitutional Amendment HJR 4 change how the number of legislative districts is determined?

See also: Measure design

The amendment removed language in the state constitution that allowed the legislature to have between 30 and 35 districts and, instead, required the state to have 35 state legislative districts. Any future changes to the number of legislative districts in the state would have to be decided by voters as a constitutional amendment. At the time of the election, the number of legislative districts was determined by state statute, which meant the state legislature can vote to adjust the number between 30 and 35. At the time of the election, the Idaho State Senate contained 35 Senators, who were elected from 35 districts. The Idaho House of Representatives contained 70 Representatives, who were elected from the same 35 districts, with two being elected from each constituency.

Who supported and opposed Constitutional Amendment HJR 4?

See also: Path to the ballot

House Speaker Scott Bedke (R) sponsored the House Joint Resolution 4. In Idaho, both chambers of the state legislature need to pass a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds vote during one legislative session to refer an amendment to the ballot. The measure passed in the Idaho House of Representatives on February 18, 2020, in a vote of 65-3 with two representatives absent. The measure passed in the Senate by a vote of 31-4 on March 4, 2020, with all no votes from Democratic senators.

How did the number of Idaho's legislative districts compare to other states?

See also: Districts by state

With a total of 70 state legislative districts, Idaho had the seventh lowest number of state legislative districts in the U.S. at the time of the election. Pennsylvania had the highest number of state legislative districts with 253, and Nebraska had the lowest number since it has a unicameral system with 49 districts.

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

Shall Section 2, Article III, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended to require that the Senate shall consist of thirty-five members; and shall Section 4, Article III, of the Constitution of the State of Idaho, be amended to require that the Legislature shall be apportioned to thirty-five legislative districts?

”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary was as follows:

“

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to permanently set the number of senators in the Idaho Legislature, as well as the number of legislative districts in Idaho, at 35. (There are twice as many representatives as senators, which this amendment would not change.) Since 1992, there have been 35 districts and senators, but the Idaho Constitution permits as few as 30 and as many as 35 districts and senators, with the number determined during redistricting (the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries after a United States census). lf this amendment is adopted, the number of districts and senators would be fixed at 35 and could not be changed during redistricting.

”

Constitutional changes

See also: Idaho Constitution

The measure amended sections 2 and 4 of Article III of the Idaho Constitution. The following underlined text was added and struck-through text was deleted: Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP OF HOUSE AND SENATE. (1) Following the decennial census of 1990 2020 and in each legislature thereafter, the senate shall consist of not less than thirty nor more than thirty-five members. The legislature may fix the number of members of the house of representatives at not more than two times as many representatives as there are senator. The senators and representatives shall be chosen by the electors of the respective counties or districts into which the state may, from time to time, be divided by law.

Section 4. APPORTIONMENT OF LEGISLATURE. The members of the legislature following the decennial census of 1990 2020 and each legislature thereafter shall be apportioned to not less than thirty nor more than thirty-five legislative districts of the state as may be provided by law.

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2020

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The State legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure. The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 26, and the FRE is 5. The word count for the ballot title is 53, and the estimated reading time is 14 seconds. The FKGL for the ballot summary is grade level 15, and the FRE is 32. The word count for the ballot summary is 104, and the estimated reading time is 27 seconds.

Support

Supporters

Officials

• State Representative Scott Bedke (R)
• Idaho State Representative Ilana Rubel (D)

Arguments

• Idaho House Speaker and measure sponsor Scott Bedke (R): "[Since the 1980s], we have had 35 legislative districts, and it seems to suit us well. Yet your Constitution says you can have as few as 30. So why would we want to change this? I think the reasoning is as Idaho grows, then our citizens are better served with more legislative districts than fewer. It’s certainly something that we’re all used to for the last 30-plus years. But our Constitution allows for fewer legislative districts, and I think we’d be well-served going forward pegging that at 35."
• Idaho State Representative Ilana Rubel (D): "Next year's redistricting committee could go down to 30 districts. We've had 35 since the 1990s. But we could go down to 30, which means bigger districts, and more people, and that would diminish access to their legislators... This is a process done by a bipartisan redistricting committee -- three Democrats, three Republicans. That stays the same, there's no monkeying around with the redistricting committee."

Official arguments

The following arguments in support of the amendment were included in the 2020 Idaho Voters' Pamphlet:

“

1. Setting the number of districts at 35 would prevent the number of districts from being reduced during redistricting in 2021. If the number of districts is reduced, Idaho would have fewer legislators, meaning that Idahoans would have less representation in the Legislature at a time when the state’s population is growing and the Legislature is addressing complex issues related to population growth. With fewer legislators representing more constituents, Idahoans would have less access to their legislators, limiting their ability to discuss issues of concern with the people elected to represent their interests. Additionally, with more constituents per legislator, legislators might not be able to provide as many individuals with constituent services. 2. Setting the number of districts at 35 and thus preventing any reduction in the number of districts would also keep urban and rural interests in balance. If the number of districts is reduced, rural residents could be added to mostly urban districts, and urban residents could be added to mostly rural districts. This could result in legislators being less responsive to some constituents’ interests than others. Furthermore, reducing the number of districts might require districts of great geographical size, which could include many communities that have few interests in common. Large districts might also make travel difficult, and more remote areas of the district could be ignored by legislative candidates during campaigns and by elected legislators who focus on areas where more constituents live. By preserving 35 districts, this amendment makes it more likely that Idaho residents will have representation responsive to their local interests. 3. Redistricting in Idaho is done by the bipartisan Citizens’ Commission for Reapportionment and is often contentious. If the number of districts is set by law, the commission would not need to determine the number of districts, eliminating a potential point of conflict between the commissioners.

”

Opposition

Opponents

Officials

• State Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb (Nonpartisan)
• State Senator Maryanne Jordan (D)
• State Senator Mark Nye (D)
• State Representative Priscilla Giddings (R)
• State Representative John McCrostie (D)
• State Representative Heather Scott (R)

Arguments

• Idaho State Representative Heather Scott (R): "I do not think the cost of a constitutional change ($200,000.00 to $300,000.00) justifies the change being made. The districts are currently capped at 35."

Official arguments

The following arguments in opposition to the amendment were included in the 2020 Idaho Voters' Pamphlet:

“

1. Redistricting is a complicated process, because redistricting plans must comply with several legal requirements that can be in conflict with each other. For example, districts must be roughly equal in population, but must also avoid, to the extent possible, splitting up counties and communities - even though some counties and communities have significantly larger populations than others. Redistricting plans that fail to comply with all requirements can be challenged in court. By adding another fixed requirement, this amendment would make redistricting more difficult and might invite court challenges. The commission currently has the flexibility to determine the number of districts within a certain range because it is possible that a plan with 30 larger districts could better satisfy legal requirements than a plan with 35 smaller districts. The commission’s flexibility should be preserved. 2. Changes to the redistricting process should be proposed well in advance of a redistricting year, with enough time to consider all possible consequences of the change. This amendment would cause a significant change to be made right before redistricting occurs in 2021 without sufficient time to consider the consequences. 3. Reducing the number of legislative districts would mean a corresponding reduction in the number of legislators. This would reduce the size of the government and could potentially save public funds spent on legislator salaries and benefits.

”

Campaign finance

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recent scheduled reports that Ballotpedia has processed, which covered through December 10, 2020.

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Idaho ballot measures

There were no ballot measure committees registered in support of or in opposition to Constitutional Amendment HJR4.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Oppose	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Background

Legislative districts in Idaho

In 1986, voters approved an amendment that allowed the legislature to limit the number of legislative districts between 30 and 35 after the 1990 census. It also prohibited floterial districts, which are separate districts that geographically overlap each other, giving the effect of a multi-member district in the area of overlap.

At the time of the election, Idaho had 35 state Senate districts and 35 state House districts. The state House districts are multi-member districts (MMDs). Candidates for the Idaho House of Representatives run for one out of the two district seats available. This type of multi-member district is called seat/post because instead of running in a pool of candidates with the aim of finishing strongly enough, candidates run for a specific seat as in a single-member district.

Legislative districts by state

See also: State Legislative Districts

Idaho has a total of 70 state legislative districts. Ballotpedia counts senate and house districts towards the total district count, even if they align geographically. Idaho has the seventh lowest number of state legislative districts in the U.S. Pennsylvania has the highest number of state legislative districts with 253, and Nebraska has the lowest number since it has a unicameral system with 49 districts.

The following table details the number of districts and seats in each legislative chamber in the U.S. Chambers with multi-member districts are bolded.

Legislative seats and districts
State	Senate districts	Senate seats	House districts	House seats	Total districts	Total seats
Alabama	35	35	105	105	140	140
Alaska	20	20	40	40	60	60
Arizona	30	30	30	60	60	90
Arkansas	35	35	100	100	135	135
California	40	40	80	80	120	120
Colorado	35	35	65	65	100	100
Connecticut	36	36	151	151	187	187
Delaware	21	21	41	41	62	62
Florida	40	40	120	120	160	160
Georgia	56	56	180	180	236	236
Hawaii	25	25	51	51	76	76
Idaho	35	35	35	70	70	105
Illinois	59	59	118	118	177	177
Indiana	50	50	100	100	150	150
Iowa	50	50	100	100	150	150
Kansas	40	40	125	125	165	165
Kentucky	38	38	100	100	138	138
Louisiana	39	39	105	105	144	144
Maine	35	35	151	151	186	186
Maryland	47	47	67	141	114	188
Massachusetts	40	40	160	160	200	200
Michigan	38	38	110	110	148	148
Minnesota	67	67	134	134	201	201
Mississippi	52	52	122	122	174	174
Missouri	34	34	163	163	197	197
Montana	50	50	100	100	150	150
Nebraska	49	49	0	0	49	49
Nevada	21	21	42	42	63	63
New Hampshire	24	24	204	400	228	424
New Jersey	40	40	40	80	80	120
New Mexico	42	42	70	70	112	112
New York	63	63	150	150	213	213
North Carolina	50	50	120	120	170	170
North Dakota	47	47	47	94	94	141
Ohio	33	33	99	99	132	132
Oklahoma	48	48	101	101	149	149
Oregon	30	30	60	60	90	90
Pennsylvania	50	50	203	203	253	253
Rhode Island	38	38	75	75	113	113
South Carolina	46	46	124	124	170	170
South Dakota	35	35	35	70	70	105
Tennessee	33	33	99	99	132	132
Texas	31	31	150	150	181	181
Utah	29	29	75	75	104	104
Vermont	13	30	104	150	117	180
Virginia	40	40	100	100	140	140
Washington	49	49	49	98	98	147
West Virginia	17	34	67	100	84	134
Wisconsin	33	33	99	99	132	132
Wyoming	30	30	60	60	90	90
Total	1,938	1,972	4,826	5,411	6,764	7,383

Ballot measures in Idaho

See also: History of Initiative & Referendum in Idaho and List of Idaho ballot measures

• From 1996 to 2018, 36 measures have been on the ballot in Idaho.
• Between 1996 and 2018, an average of three measures have appeared on even-numbered election year ballots in Idaho.
• Between 1996 and 2018, 26 of 36, or 72 percent, of Idaho ballot measures have been approved by voters.
• Conversely, 10 of 36, or 28 percent, of measures have been defeated.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Idaho Constitution

In Idaho, both chambers of the state legislature need to pass a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds vote during one legislative session to refer an amendment to the ballot.

The amendment was introduced on February 6, 2020, as House Joint Resolution 4 by House Speaker Scott Bedke (R). The measure passed in the Idaho House of Representatives on February 18, 2020, in a vote of 65-3 with two representatives absent. The measure passed in the Senate by a vote of 31-4 on March 4, 2020, with all no votes from Democratic Senators.

Vote in the Idaho House of Representatives February 18, 2020
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 47  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	65	3	2
Total percent	93%	4%	3%
Democrat	12	1	1
Republican	53	2	1

Vote in the Idaho State Senate March 4, 2020
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 24  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	31	4	0
Total percent	88.6%	11.4%	0.0%
Democrat	3	4	0
Republican	28	0	0

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Idaho

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Idaho.

How to cast a vote in Idaho

The information below covers regular voting policies in the state. Information may have not applied to the election on November 3, 2020, because of temporary changes in response to coronavirus. Click here to read about changes made for the 2020 elections. Poll times In Idaho, all polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. In some instances, polls may open at 7:00 a.m., at the discretion of the local clerk. Idaho is split between Mountain and Pacific time zones. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Registration requirements Check your voter registration status here. To register to vote in Idaho, an individual must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the Idaho county in which they are registering for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. Registration in advance of election day may be completed online, in person at the county clerk's office, or by mail. The deadline to register to vote online is the 11th day before the election. A registration application submitted by mail must be received by the 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day before the election. Voters may also register in-person at an early voting location or on Election Day. Idaho requires a photo ID and proof of residence to register to vote in person. According to the secretary of state's website, a valid photo ID is one of: Idaho Driver’s License Idaho Identification Card Passport or Federal ID Tribal ID Card Concealed Weapons License issued by a county sheriff in Idaho A valid proof of residence is one of: Above photo ID with the correct address Proof of insurance Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement Property tax assessment, bill Utility bill (no cell bills) Bank/credit card statement Paystub/paycheck Intake document to a care facility Enrollment letter from an Idaho high school or university Letter from a social service agency A voter registering to vote by a mail application must provide their Idaho driver's license number or their social security number. If the voter is registering for the first time they must also include a copy of a photo ID and proof of residence. Eligible documents are listed above. Automatic registration See also: Automatic voter registration Idaho does not practice automatic voter registration. Online registration See also: Online voter registration Idaho has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Same-day registration See also: Online voter registration Idaho allows same-day voter registration. Residency requirements Idaho law requires 30 days of residency in one of the state’s counties before a person may vote. Verification of citizenship See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States Idaho does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury. All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters. Verifying your registration The page Voter Information Look-Up, run by the Idaho Secretary of State's office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Voter ID requirements

See also

2020 measures

• 2020 ballot measures
• State legislatures measures on the ballot

Idaho

• Idaho ballot measures
• Idaho ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• House Joint Resolution 4
• 2020 Idaho Voters' Pamphlet