Signature requirements for ballot measures in Idaho
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Idaho. In Idaho, citizens can initiate state statutes and veto referendums.
Requirements
In Idaho, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is equal to 6 percent of the number of registered voters as of the state's last general election. Moreover, Idaho has a distribution requirement requiring signatures to equal at least 6 percent of registered voters in 18 of the state's 35 legislative districts.
Below are the statewide signature requirements that initiative proponents must meet to get their initiatives on the ballot in that year.
| Year | Statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70,725[1] | 70,725[1] |
| 2024 | 62,895 | 62,895 |
| 2022 | 64,945 | 64,945 |
| 2020 | 55,057 | 55,057 |
| 2018 | 56,192 | 56,192 |
| 2016 | 47,623 | 47,623 |
| 2014 | 53,751 | 53,751 |
| 2012 | 47,432 | 47,432 |
| 2010 | 51,712 | 51,712 |
| 2008 | 45,893 | 45,893 |
See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1805
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for citizen-initiated measures (6 percent of registered voters as of last general election) from 2008 through 2026.
Basis of calculation
In Idaho, the number of signatures needed to place a measure (initiated state statute or veto referendum) on the ballot is equal to 6 percent of registered voters as of the last general election. The following numbers of voters were registered at the general election in each year listed:
| Year | Registered voters |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,178,750[2] |
| 2022 | 1,048,263[3] |
| 2020 | 1,082,417[4] |
| 2018 | 839,406[5] |
| 2016 | 936,529[6] |
| 2014 | 793,709[7] |
| 2012 | 896,234[8] |
| 2010 | 790,531[9] |
Signature deadlines
In Idaho, citizen-initiated ballot measures can appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots. Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for initiatives for 18 months after receiving an approved ballot title. Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for veto referendums for 60 days after the legislature that passed the targeted bill adjourns.
The deadline for submitting signatures to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot for a particular general election is May 1 of the election year.[10][11]
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
| 2022 | May 1, 2022 |
| 2020 | May 1, 2020[12] |
| 2018 | May 1, 2018 |
| 2016 | May 1, 2016 |
| 2014 | May 1, 2014 |
| 2012 | May 1, 2012 |
| 2010 | May 1, 2010 |
Distribution requirement
Idaho has a distribution requirement requiring signatures to be collected from 6 percent of registered voters in each of at least 18 of the state's 35 legislative districts. Therefore, the number of signatures required from a legislative district varies based on voter registration in that district at the time of the last general election.[13]
Prior to 2001, Idaho had a law requiring 6 percent of the signatures from each of 22 of Idaho's 44 counties. This county-based distribution requirement was struck down in Idaho Coalition United for Bears v. Cenarrusa as unconstitutional.[14]
In 2013, the Idaho State Legislature passed Idaho Senate Bill 1108, replacing the county-based distribution requirement with a district-based distribution requirement.[15]
Recall
To recall an official in Idaho, signatures equal to 20 percent of eligible voters in the last election for the targeted office are required. The recall petition must be circulated within 75 days. In Idaho, judicial officers cannot be recalled.
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Idaho
- History of Initiative & Referendum in Idaho
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Idaho
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 [Calculated based on Idaho law]
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Turnout," accessed January 19, 2024
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2022 General Election Canvass Conducted," accessed January 3, 2022
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2020 General Election Canvass Conducted," accessed December 11, 2020
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2018 General Election Results," accessed December 19, 2018
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Results," accessed February 14, 2017
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed February 11, 2015
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," accessed February 11, 2015
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results," accessed February 11, 2015
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2014 Election Calendar," accessed December 26, 2013
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Initiative and Referendum for Ballot Status," accessed July 20, 2015
- ↑ Sponsors needed to submit signatures no later than close of business on May 1, 2020, in order to qualify initiatives for the ballot. Proponents were able to collect signatures through April 30, 2020.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Idaho 2013 bills," accessed January 16, 2014
- ↑ Citizens in Charge, "Distribution Requirements," accessed July 29, 2011
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Initiative and Referendum Legislation: 2013 Legislation," accessed January 6, 2014
 |
State of Idaho Boise (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |