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House approves bill to expand ballot rotation for smaller elections
Summary
The House passed legislation lowering the ballot-rotation threshold from 100,000 to 25,000 votes, expanding rotation to more county contests to combat the primacy effect, and sponsors said clerks and the Secretary of State were consulted.
The Idaho House passed House Bill 7 36 on March 5, changing the threshold that triggers candidate-name rotation on ballots from 100,000 registered voters to 25,000.
Sponsor Representative (Speaker 15) told colleagues the change would expand ballot rotation beyond federal, statewide and a limited set of county races. “Right now, the threshold is 100,000 voters in the last preceding general election. This amendment would change it to 25,000,” the sponsor said, arguing the move would reduce the primacy effect that benefits top-listed candidates.
The sponsor said the Secretary of State’s office had been consulted and county clerks should not face significant administrative burdens. The House moved and passed the measure under regular order.
Supporters framed the measure as enhancing fairness in local contests where name order can materially affect outcomes; no extended floor debate was recorded. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
