Want to weigh in on Prop 1, the Idaho abortion ballot initiative? Here’s how.

Idaho state election officials are asking the public to weigh in on a proposed ballot initiative to end the state’s strict abortion ban.

The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office will feature some arguments in favor and against the ballot initiative on a voter pamphlet that it mails to all Idaho households ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Arguments related to the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act are due by 11:59 p.m. Mountain time on Friday, July 31, the Secretary of State’s Office announced in a news release. Submit arguments online at https://forms.sos.idaho.gov/pro-con/. Learn more about Idaho’s ballot initiative process online at voteidaho.gov/initiatives-amendments/.

This year’s voter pamphlet will include information on two constitutional amendments, proposed by the Legislature. Here’s a primer on those:

• One proposed amendment, through House Joint Resolution 4, would allow only the Idaho Legislature – and not Idaho voters – to have the authority to legalize medical cannabis, recreational marijuana or any other drug. A proposed ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana failed to qualify for the ballot this year, election officials announced last week.
• Another proposed amendment, through House Joint Resolution 6, would declare English as the state’s official language.

A committee of legislative leaders last month approved language to describe those two proposed constitutional amendments on ballots. 

The voter pamphlet will also include information on an advisory question for voters to designate a state gun for Idaho. Lawmakers approved the advisory question this year through House Bill 932.