RECALL ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the recall of city council members elected by district.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 377 allows Idaho voters in cities over 100,000 to initiate recall petitions for council members, requiring 20% of district electors' signatures for accountability.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 28, 2025 Session Law Chapter 205 Effective: 03/28/2025

#campaignsandcandidates #cities #elections #petitions #votingandvoters

Bill Overview

Bill Number: H 377
Title: Recall Elections – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the recall of city council members elected by district.
Status: Reported Signed by Governor on March 28, 2025
Effective Date: March 28, 2025
Introduced: March 06, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Campaigns and Candidates, Cities, Elections, Petitions, Voting and Voters

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 377 aims to align Idaho Statute 34-1702 with Idaho Statute 50-707A, particularly concerning the recall process for city council members elected from districts. The legislation establishes clear guidelines for initiating recall petitions in cities with populations exceeding 100,000, ensuring that the process is equitable and reflects the voting districts.

Key Provisions

Signature Requirements: The bill stipulates that a recall petition against a city council member must be signed by 20% of registered electors from the district where the council member was elected. This is based on the number of electors registered to vote in the last election for that district.

Filing Process:

The petition must be filed with the county clerk.
For cities with council members elected by districts, the petition must specifically gather signatures from registered voters within the respective district.

Emergency Declaration: The bill includes a declaration of emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Impact

Affected Parties: This legislation primarily impacts city council members in Idaho cities with populations over 100,000, as well as the registered voters in those districts. It provides a structured process for constituents to initiate recalls, thereby enhancing accountability among elected officials.

No Fiscal Impact: The fiscal note indicates that this legislation will not increase state spending or generate revenue for the state general fund.

Legislative Timeline

March 6, 2025: Introduced and referred to the State Affairs Committee.

March 11, 2025: Reported out of Committee with a Do Pass recommendation.

March 19, 2025: Passed in the House with a vote of 33-0-2.

March 20, 2025: Passed in the Senate and returned to the House.

March 28, 2025: Signed by the Governor and became effective immediately.

Conclusion

House Bill 377 modernizes the recall election process for city council members in Idaho, ensuring that the procedures are consistent with the population-based districting requirements. By establishing clear guidelines for petitioning, the bill aims to enhance democratic accountability at the local government level.

Bill