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Bill

Bill > H0638

ID H0638

ID H0638
Amends and adds to existing law to provide for a presidential primary election.

summary

Introduced
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-102, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A DEF- INITION, TO DEFINE A TERM, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-106, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE; AMENDING SECTION 34-411A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHANGING PARTY AFFILIATION FOR PRIMARY ELECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-601, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE; AMENDING SECTION 34-713, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE PREPA- RATION OF PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY BALLOTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-731, IDAHO CODE, TO ES- TABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-732, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATES; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SEC- TION 34-733, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REMOVAL OF CANDIDATES FROM PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY BALLOTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-734, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR VOTING IN A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-735, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RESULTS; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-736, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR DELEGATES TO A NATIONAL CONVENTION; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-737, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONDUCT OF A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION; AMENDING CHAPTER 7, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-738, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COSTS OF A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY; AMENDING SEC- TION 34-904A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-1203A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS REGARDING POSTELECTION AUDITS OF SELECTED BALLOTS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a presidential primary election in Idaho, setting its date for the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year, distinct from the state's regular primary election which occurs in May. Political parties can opt to participate in this presidential primary, and candidates wishing to appear on the ballot must file a declaration of candidacy along with a $50,000 filing fee at least 90 days before the primary. The bill also outlines procedures for removing candidates from the ballot due to death, incapacity, or withdrawal, with a cutoff of 45 days before the election, and clarifies that voters in a presidential primary can only vote for candidates of one political party, similar to regular primaries. The results of the presidential primary will be certified to each participating party's state chair, and parties will then select delegates to their national conventions based on these results and their own rules. The state will cover the costs associated with the presidential primary, including ballot preparation, and the conduct of this election will generally follow the procedures for state primary elections. Additionally, the bill makes technical corrections and updates existing laws regarding party affiliation changes for primary elections and post-election audits to include presidential primaries.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

State Affairs Committee (House)

Last Action

Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs (on 02/13/2026)

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