Reclaim Idaho files lawsuit

BOISE — Reclaim Idaho filed suit in the Idaho Supreme Court on Friday to strike down Idaho’s recently enacted "anti-initiatives law" as unconstitutional.

The Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution is serving as a plaintiff in the case alongside Reclaim Idaho.

The law signed by Gov. Little on April 17, requires ballot-initiative campaigns to collect signatures from at least 6% of registered voters in each of Idaho’s 35 state legislative districts—up from the 18 districts previously required.

Reclaim Idaho says the new law violates the fundamental right of Idaho citizens to propose or reject legislation.

"The anti-initiatives law gives Idaho the most restrictive signature requirements in the nation, making it virtually impossible for grassroots organizations to qualify initiatives and referendums for the ballot," according to a press release. "Of the 24 states with ballot measures, no other state requires a large number of signatures from all state-legislative districts."

The lawsuit features written testimony from several people, including Jessica Mahuron, Kootenai County volunteer leader of the Medicaid Expansion signature drive.

“Last month, the Idaho Legislature and Gov. Brad Little snatched away one of our most fundamental rights — a right enshrined in our Constitution over 100 years ago,” said Reclaim Idaho co-founder Luke Mayville. “We’re filing this lawsuit on behalf of the people of Idaho, and we believe we will prevail.”