INITIATIVES: Power to the people

In the last 18 years, only one citizens initiative has made it onto the Idaho ballot that was passed into law. Evidently, Idaho Sen. Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens and other politicians found this so alarming that he is proposing emergency legislation!

His bill S1110 would immediately restrict voters’ rights by making it more difficult for a citizen’s initiative or referendum to be put on the ballot where each of us who are registered voters have an opportunity to vote on it.

It is currently very difficult for an initiative to appear on an Idaho ballot as it requires signatures from 6% of all registered Idaho voters, as well as 6% in 18 out of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts.

His bill would increase that requirement to 6% of registered voters in all 35 districts. The purpose of this bill is to make future grass roots initiatives virtually impossible. The Idaho constitution gives citizens the right to propose initiatives allowing voters the opportunity to ultimately decide the merits of an initiative by casting their vote. I hope our Idaho legislators will not allow this bill or one like it to move forward.

BRYAN BLEDSOE

Post Falls