The environment is our issue
Like you, all of us here at Conservation Voters for Idaho share a deep passion for protecting Idaho’s environment and, like you, we know that the best chance we have in that endeavor is to elect strong conservation champions to office.
We’ve endorsed 39 candidates running for legislative and county races across the state who we believe will be the strongest advocates for conservation policy.
To ensure Conservation Voters for Idaho endorses the best possible conservation candidates, our volunteer Board of Directors with staff support conduct a multi-step review process and criteria for selection.
Candidates are evaluated along the following criteria: knowledge of conservation issues, potential effectiveness to advance conservation issues if/when elected to office and propensity to be a true champion on our issues. “Best” conservation candidates are not just those candidates who represent themselves as the most pro-environment, but who will best advance the effort to protect Idaho’s environment. As a bipartisan organization, we select candidates regardless of political party.
Our endorsement begins at the staff level where campaign staff distribute questionnaires to candidates across the state. All candidates are invited to participate in the process and fill out the questionnaire. Questionnaire responses are evaluated by our Endorsement Task Force, which is composed of select members of the Conservation Voters for Idaho Board of Directors and supported by staff. If the task force needs further clarification from the questionnaire responses, follow up activities occur which could include in-person interviews or reference checks.
Based on the questionnaire responses, the personal interview, candidate’s platforms on conservation issues and other criteria guidelines listed above, the Endorsement Task Force votes on their endorsement recommendations. Those approved recommendations are then taken to Conservation Voters for Idaho’s Board of Directors for a final vote.
CVI has endorsed a “no” vote on SJR 102. This Constitutional Amendment would allow the Idaho Legislature to call itself into session at any time, effectively making it a full time legislature. The current system, which allows the Governor to call the legislature into session when needed, has been an effective check and balance for 130 years.
This “Grow Government” Amendment does not address any problem and is merely a power grab by the legislature. Instead of a predictable legislative timeline, Legislators could call themselves into session any time to eliminate voting rights, attack our public lands, or just pass unvetted bills that Idahoans haven’t had a chance to weigh in on.
State Senate, District 8
The November 8 election will be here before you know it! Make sure you’re registered and have a plan to vote.
