H 735 — ELECTIONS – Adds to existing law to require certain disclosures by individuals engaged in paid in-person canvassing activities.

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This bill establishes new requirements for individuals engaged in paid in-person canvassing activities in Idaho and amends existing law to include these provisions.

• 67-6628B

  67-6628B. PAID IN-PERSON CANVASSING ACTIVITIES -- DISCLOSURES. (1) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Paid in-person canvassing activities" means canvassing activities performed by an individual who accepts financial compensation for the purpose of influencing how a person votes, including but not limited to soliciting personal residences or public locations to communicate with or distribute materials to possible voters about political candidates or ballot measures; conducting in-person get-out-the-vote efforts in relation to any candidate or ballot measure; and any other direct, in-person contact or interaction intended to affect an individual's electoral participation or preferences. (b) "Phone banking activities" means any organized outreach activity in which telephone calls are made to Idaho qualified electors for the purpose of persuading such electors to vote or to vote in a particular manner, providing information to such electors regarding an election or voting, or mobilizing such electors to vote. (2) Persons who engage in any paid in-person canvassing activities shall: (a) Meet all of the qualifications of a qualified elector, as defined in section 34-104, Idaho Code, except that a person under eighteen (18) years of age shall only be required to have resided in this state for at least thirty (30) days; and (b) Verbally notify any person with whom they communicate that they are being compensated to perform paid in-person canvassing activities and provide the name of the person or entity providing payment for such paid in-person canvassing activities. (3) At all times while engaging in paid in-person canvassing activities, such persons shall wear a badge that is clearly visible to any person with whom they intend to communicate with that contains the words "paid political advocate." (4) The Idaho secretary of state shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section, which shall include specifications regarding font, shape, color, and size requirements for the badge required pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. (5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (a) Volunteers acting without compensation or reimbursement beyond incidental expenses; (b) Individuals whose paid in-person canvassing activities are incidental to broader campaign employment responsibilities; (c) Phone banking activities; or (d) Candidates engaged in in-person canvassing activities for their own election campaign. (6) The Idaho secretary of state shall establish a system on its website to receive complaints for alleged violations of the provisions of this section and shall investigate such complaints. If the secretary of state determines that a violation of this section has occurred, the secretary of state shall refer the matter to the attorney general or the appropriate prosecuting attorney for enforcement pursuant to section 67-6625, Idaho Code.

  This new section defines paid in-person canvassing activities and outlines responsibilities and requirements for individuals engaged in this type of canvassing.

• 67-6625

  67-6628, → 67-6628, or 67-6628B,

  This change adds the new Section 67-6628B to the list of sections included in the penalties for violations related to election activities.

Action History

1. February 20, 2026

   Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs

2. February 19, 2026

   Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

Sponsors

• STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · Primary

Subjects