Conservation Voters for Idaho is taking action to oppose SJR 101, which will restrict Idaho’s constitutional right to the ballot initiative and referendum process. If this harmful bill passes the legislature, Idahoans across the state will have to fight hard – expending valuable time and resources – to counter the disinformation from bill sponsors. We don’t need an expensive vote by the people to know that this change to our Constitution is harmful to Idahoans.
Senate Joint Resolution 101, sponsored by Senator Doug Okuniewicz, impacts the ballot initiative process by forcing this constitutional right to a vote.
The ultimate goal of SJR 101 is to make it nearly impossible for a ballot initiative to succeed by requiring signatures from 6% of voters from all 35 legislative districts. The current standard, which 80% of Idahoans approve of, requires signatures from 18 districts.
The legislature has attempted to alter the ballot initiative process several times, including in 2021 when the Idaho Supreme Court deemed the changes “unconstitutional.”
SJR 101 passed in the Senate 27 – 8 on February 27, 2023 despite substantial opposition from voters on both sides of the political aisle. How did your Senator vote?
We must keep our elected officials accountable to Idaho values. Reach out to your Senator and let them know how you feel about their vote.
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