IdahoState legislative candidates must show 120 nights of in-district presence
Starting January 1, 2027, Idaho legislative candidates must meet district residency and physical-presence rules before filing to run for office.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, candidates for Idaho state representative or senator must show at least 120 nights of physical presence in their district during the year before filing, with an active-duty military exception.
Argument forRequiring candidates to live in and spend time in their districts could help voters choose representatives with a stronger local connection.
Argument againstThe 120-night rule could make it harder for otherwise eligible people who work, study, or care for family elsewhere to run for office.
More detail
Candidates for state representative or senator must maintain a fixed home in their legislative district and be physically present there for at least 120 nights. The rule applies to candidates for the Idaho House of Representatives and Senate who file for office. Candidates must be at least 21, U.S. citizens, and registered voters in the district for the year before the general election. A fixed home means a residence where the candidate maintains actual physical presence and occupancy. Candidates receive an exception to the 120-night requirement for active military service during the required year. The 120-night period covers the one year immediately before the candidate files a declaration of candidacy. The act takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 307 Effective: 01/01/2027Became Law
- Apr 1Delivered to Governor at 12:50 p.m. on April 1, 2026To Governor
- Apr 1Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 31Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 31Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 31Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 30Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 38-28-4AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, Mickelsen, Miller, Monks, Nelsen, Petzke, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts(Batt), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon(Cannon), Cayler, Ehlers, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill(Brown), Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Mitchell, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Egbert, Haws, McCann, PalmerFloor Sponsor - RaybouldTitle apvd - to enrolMajor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Read second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 27Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 27Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
- Mar 26Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
- Vote recorded Read third time as amended in the Senate –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 26House Concurred in Senate Amendments
- Mar 26Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 26Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 20-14-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Guthrie, Harris, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Carlson, Galloway, Grow, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Wintrow, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – SemmelrothFloor Sponsor - HarrisTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 24Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 23Amendments reported printed
- Mar 20Reported out as amended; filed for first reading
- Mar 20Amendments ordered printed
- Mar 20Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 17Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Mar 6Introduced, read first time; referred to: State AffairsMinor
- Mar 6Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 5Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 42-26-2AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen(Athay), Miller, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cayler, Ehlers, Harris, Hawkins, Hill, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Mitchell, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, WisniewskiAbsent – Erickson, GreenFloor Sponsor - RaybouldTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 3Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 2Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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