Idaho Vote by Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        November 2, 2009

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Idaho League of Women Voters endorses

Idaho Permanent Absentee Ballot Initiative

MOSCOW—The Idaho League of Women Voters announced today that it is endorsing an initiative petition to allow permanent absentee voting in Idaho. The petition, formally designated as The Idaho State Permanent Absentee Ballot Law Initiative, will allow Idaho voters to automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election.

“The League has a long history of supporting voter registration and ballot access,” said Kathryn Bonzo, Co-President of the Idaho League of Women Voters. “Permanent absentee balloting is a positive step forward for voters in Idaho.”

The initiative was filed by its sponsor, Idaho Vote by Mail, Inc., in June, 2009 and passed final review by the Idaho Secretary of State in August. The group now has until February 2011 to gather the 51,712 signatures of registered voters necessary to place the measure on the November 2012 ballot.

“We are extremely pleased that the Idaho League of Women Voters has endorsed our initiative,” said Larry Grant, Chairman of Idaho Vote by Mail, Inc. “The League does wonderful work in educating and informing Idaho voters. We are excited to have their support.”

In 2007, all 44 of Idaho’s county clerks sponsored and supported a bill in the Idaho Legislature to provide for voting by mail in all elections, a system that is being successfully used in Oregon. Legislative leaders expressed concern, however, and the bill was tabled and the issue has not been addressed by the Legislature since.

“The Idaho League supported the vote by mail bill sponsored by the county clerks,” Co-President Susan Steele said. “We are endorsing the permanent absentee balloting initiative because it will make it easier for voters who need or want to vote by absentee ballot.”

The initiative will allow Idaho voters to place their name on a list with their county clerk to automatically receive an absentee ballot. Under current law, voters must ask for an absentee ballot for each election.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. More information about the League can be found at www.lwvid.org.

Idaho Vote By Mail, Inc. is a nonpartisan, non-profit Idaho corporation dedicated to making voting easier for Idaho voters. More about the initiative and a copy of the petition can be found at www.idahovotebymail.org.

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