Bill > SJM109

This Joint Memorial, originating from the Idaho Legislature, expresses the state's findings and formally requests that the United States Congress pass a constitutional amendment. The core purpose of this proposed amendment is to clearly affirm and protect the authority of individual states to manage and govern their own election processes. The memorial emphasizes the principle of federalism, where powers not explicitly given to the federal government are reserved for the states, and highlights that states have historically served as unique entities to create election laws reflecting their citizens' needs and values. It argues that state-led election governance strengthens self-government, accountability, and the integrity of elections by allowing each state to determine how best to protect representation, secure ballots, and maintain participation in democracy, and that the framers of the U.S. Constitution recognized this primary role of states, believing a uniform federal approach is neither necessary nor desirable. Therefore, Idaho is calling on its congressional representatives to champion a constitutional amendment that reaffirms states' primary role and authority in overseeing elections, including their ability to enact policies on campaign finance, election security and transparency, and outside influence, in a way that prioritizes state sovereignty and aligns with constitutional principles.