Legislation regarding absentee ballot distribution is heading to House floor

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Legislation is making its way through the House that would restrict access to the absentee voting process.

House Bill 259 would only allow county clerks, election officials, officers, or employee of the state authorized by law, to distribute absentee ballot applications. Non-governmental entities, such as political campaigns or non-profits, would not be allowed distribute absentee ballot applications under the legislation.

Additionally, county clerks, election official, officers, and employees of state authorized by law, may only distribute absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots to voters in a mail ballot precincts, and to voters who have requested an application or absentee ballot.

The bill sponsor Rep. Kevin Andrus told the House State Affairs Committee he is concerned third parties, like political campaigns, are creating a system where people might be getting multiple absentee ballots.

Those who spoke in opposition of the bill during the committee hearing said the legislation is a solution in search of a problem. The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office told the committee there has been no widespread fraud, relating to absentee ballots.

“The thing that is concerning to me about all these bills, and this one in particular, is we are not having anyone from the county prosecutor’s office or the clerk’s office coming in and telling us we need to have this change and that change,” said Rep. John Gannon.

However, some committee members still had concerns.

“I have had numerous people approach me and say I have been told I voted absentee. I am fairly convinced this is happening because there are multiple organizations that are sending out absentee ballots, and some of those ballots get returned by people who are not the voters,” said Rep. Joe Alfieri.

The bill passed the House State Affairs Committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation.

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