Bill Description: House Bill 58 would eliminate the March and August election dates for school bond and levy questions and recall elections.

Rating: +2

NOTE: The Senate amendment to House Bill 58 does not change the rating or analysis.

Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

Idaho law currently allows four election dates, with those in March and August restricted to school bond and levy questions and recall elections.

House Bill 58 would amend Section 34-106, Idaho Code, to eliminate March and August election dates and consolidate Idaho's elections to the more familiar dates in May and November. 

Consolidation could increase government transparency and accountability because voters are more aware of the May and November elections and turnout is consistently higher then. 

(+1)

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

An additional benefit of election consolidation is a reduction in spending. Counties across the state spend time and money administering these March and August elections. The issues at hand could be more efficiently addressed by voters just 2-3 months later during the normal election days.

(+1)