The Idaho Supreme Court has rejected a new law designed to make it harder for voters to get initiatives on the ballot, saying the legislation was so restrictive that it violated a fundamental right under the state’s constitution.
The ruling issued Monday was a win for Reclaim Idaho, a group that successfully sponsored a Medicaid expansion initiative three years ago and that is now working to qualify an initiative for the ballot that aims to increase public education funding.
The high court rejected the Legislature’s claim that the law would evenly distribute power across the state. Instead, the High Court found the new law would essentially give every district “veto power” over qualifying initiatives and referendums.
The ruling means the previous version of the law — which requires signatures from 18 of the state’s legislative districts — goes back into effect. (AP)
