Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a bill on Saturday that would make it harder for voters to get initiatives on the ballot.
Little signed Senate Law 110 Saturday, showing that signatures from six percent of voters in the state’s 35 legislative districts are needed to get an initiative on the ballot.
Before the law was signed, it took six percent of voters in at least 18 legislative districts.
The measure took effect immediately after Little’s signing.
In a shipping letter Little explained his decision to sign, explaining that “Idaho has a major interest in ensuring that our ballots are not cluttered with initiatives that have not demonstrated adequate basic support.”
“Bill 110 of the Senate has a commendable goal of ensuring that initiatives across Idaho receive a minimal level of support before they are put on the ballot,” he wrote.
He noted that state and federal courts may need to rule whether the bill is constitutional. However, he said there is “good reason” to believe that the “neutral requirements in this bill are constitutionally permissible.”
“I appreciate that signing this bill will be controversial,” wrote Little. “Few issues evoke such strong feelings on either side of the debate.”
Opponents of the measure were concerned that the bill would make it virtually impossible to get measures to vote, The Associated Press reported. Some see it as an attempt to end some of the left-wing causes carried over in Idaho, such as medical marijuana.
Grassroots group Reclaim Idaho said in a statement that it sued the bill, arguing that it violated the state constitution.
Several GOP-run states, including Arizona and South Dakota, are to consider similar legislation imposes demands on voting measures after progressives won some victories in the 2020 elections.