Idaho Falls Senator Bart Davis (R-33) is leading the charge in Boise to defeat an election consolidation bill, HB.201, which would increase voter activity and turnout. The bill would establish a permanent calendar for election dates. This means the voting public would know when they could expect an election to take place – no more surprise or “stealth” elections.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the state of Idaho currently allows some 450 elections to be held on various dates throughout the year. On March 6 of this year, the Idaho House of Representatives voted, 52-17, to consolidate election dates in an effort to boost voter turnout and transparency.
The current election process in Idaho is flawed, allowing an extreme minority of voters to approve tax increases for the majority of voters who were unaware of election dates. The recently passed school bond in the Meridian School District is a classic example, having passed with just 9 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. The school district did a minimal amount of advertising to achieve its desired result.
According to the legislation, most of Idaho’s elections (federal, state, county, and local) would be held on just one of two dates in May or November. School districts would receive a slight exemption to the rule that would authorize them to schedule elections for supplemental levies in March and August when needed.
This bill simplifies elections by limiting them to the four dates mentioned, and puts them under the control and direction of the county elections officials. In addition, the polling locations will be the same for all election dates.
Setting just four dates for all elections in Idaho is fair to everyone involved. The bonus to school districts is that their elections will be free to them. The bonus to voters is that they will know when elections are held just as surely as they know that April 15 in tax day.
The Idaho Secretary of State supports HB.201 as well as most school districts across the state, and all of Bonneville County’s legislative delegation, except our ranking legislator – Sen. Bart Davis.
Then why is Sen. Davis opposed to such a measure? Why would he strong-arm his fellow senators to kill the bill in the Senate State Affairs Committee? Why wouldn’t he want the measure to be brought to the Senate floor for a free, fair, and open vote? Why must he use his position of leadership as the Senate Majority Leader to impede the bills progress? Why?
Regardless of the Senator’s objections, HB 201 deserves to be heard by all 35 Senators and debated on the Senate floor.
Read the bill for yourself: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2009/H0201.htm
Popularity: 8%
Related posts:
- Measure passes the Idaho House to consolidate elections – education associations in opposition.
- Rep. Tom Loertscher on the Idaho Legislature
- Legislative update from Rep. Janice McGeachin (R-32A)
- Idahoans to U.S. Senate: Please Expel Our Senator Craig
- Idaho Falls and Ammon City Election Results – November 2009
It WAS all he had to say about it!
:@:)
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Let the senators debate the bill on the open floor of the Senate.
It’s a good bill, and is long overdue.
Sen. Davis: Let them vote!
What is confusing to me is why Sen. Davis would support similar legislation in the past and not this year’s HB.201. Shouldn’t he support it since the measure passed the House with an overwhelming majority?
The scuttlebutt is he was disappointed that the sponsors of the bill did not include certain stakeholders when drafting the legislation. This must mean the authors did not seek permission and the approval of the high and mighty IEA (Idaho Education Association) and other school related groups.
Shouldn’t our elected officials only be beholding to their constituents and themselves – not special interests groups such as the IEA?
Oh, but wait, maybe he is beholding to his constituents – a small group of local IEA union members, which I understand includes his wife. Might the local union or the IEA be exploiting his wife’s membership with them? Can we say conflict of interest here?
Nah, that wouldn’t happen – would it?
That must be hard if it true about his wife being a part of the IEA. I know that when my husband and I disagree on something, things can get tense around the house. But, since he’s from here, and he is in Boise five out of seven day, you would think he would look out for those that got him there.
By the way, and in case you have not heard, School District 91 will have a supplemental levy up for a vote on April 14 from 12-8PM. Let’s see how well they publicize this one.