Paid canvassers would disclose who pays them to voters

Paid in-person canvassers must say they are paid and name who pays them, then wear a visible badge with the payer’s name. It covers Idaho residents paid to contact people in person to influence voting, including petition gathering and campaign outreach. The rule excludes unpaid volunteers, canvassing incidental to broader campaign jobs, phone banking, and candidates canvassing for their own campaigns.

Paid petition circulators must give spoken notice before accepting a signature, print the payment disclosure and payer’s name on each petition page, and wear a visible badge saying “paid petition circulator.” It covers Idaho residents at least 18 years old who gather initiative or referendum petition signatures for pay. A petition circulated in violation of these disclosure rules would be void. The circulator must give spoken notice before accepting each signature.

People who violate the paid-canvassing disclosure rules could face a civil fine; a person who knowingly and willfully violates them could also face a misdemeanor penalty. These penalties apply to violations of the paid-canvassing disclosure section. The civil fine is up to $250 for an individual and up to $2,500 for another person or entity. A misdemeanor conviction may bring up to six months in jail, a fine, or both.