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Representative Crane introduces RS 32-463 to expand Secretary of State access to government records for voter-roll accuracy
Summary
Representative Crane introduced RS 32-463 asking the Legislature to codify authority for the Secretary of State to request records (death, felony, address changes and federal verification databases) from state agencies and federal systems to audit and keep Idaho voter registration rolls accurate; the committee voted to introduce the request.
Representative Crane introduced RS 32-463, a legislative request (RS) aimed at directing the Idaho Secretary of State to seek and use state and federal data sources to “maintain accuracy and integrity” of the statewide voter registration system.
The proposal states it is the Legislature’s intent that “only eligible citizens are gonna vote in The United States Of America,” and directs the Secretary of State to request and use data such as death records, felony status, and address changes from the Department of Health and Welfare, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections. The draft also lists federal resources including the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) database administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Why it matters: The sponsor said the change would codify the Secretary of State’s role in auditing rolls and cooperating with other government entities to “prevent and fight against voter fraud.” Committee members asked whether the RS included the same federal databases that had appeared in a prior draft; the sponsor and other members confirmed the SAVE database and related federal checks are referenced in the printed language.
Representative Crane, the sponsor, said the RS pairs his prior “Only Citizens Can Vote” idea with work already under way with the Secretary of State: “it’s the intent of the legislature that secretary of state must strive to maintain accuracy and integrity of Idaho statewide that, voter registration system and ensure that only eligible voters in the state of Idaho are registered to vote in Idaho elections.”
Representative Mickelson moved to introduce RS 32-463; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Next steps: The RS was introduced in committee for possible future printing and formal bill hearings. The sponsor said he will bring the measure back for full testimony at a later date.
