Idaho
Back again: Bill to limit absentee ballots introduced in Idaho House committee • Idaho Capital Sun
A North Idaho legislator on Tuesday introduced a bill intended to limit who can receive an absentee ballot.
Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, told the Idaho House State Affairs Committee the bill’s purpose is to prevent fraud. According to the bill’s statement of purpose, the absentee ballot was “never intended as a convenience,” and it was meant to provide access to voters with a physical infirmity, an illness and those with work restrictions.
Currently, any registered voter in Idaho may request an absentee ballot to be mailed to their address. But the bill would change this policy, allowing only the following Idahoans to request an absentee ballot:
- Those on active military service
- Those experiencing an illness, disability or hospitalization
- Those working or attending university
- Those on a religious mission
- Those occupying a second home or residents outside of their home county on the day of the election
- Those 65 years old or older
- Those living in a mail ballot precinct
Idaho legislators have introduced similar bills in the past, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported, but they did not make it past the early stages of the Idaho House side.
Legislators concerned about absentee voting bill
According to VoteIdaho.gov, an official website run by the Idaho Secretary of State, more than 173,300 individuals submitted an absentee ballot during the 2024 general election, 56% of whom were registered Republicans.
Given the popularity of absentee voting in Idaho, Republicans and Democrats on the committee shared their concerns about the bill.
Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, said the bill favors older people, and he would like to see real examples of absentee ballots causing voter fraud. Additionally, he said Idahoans cannot predict if they’ll fall sick on Election Day and need to request an absentee ballot.
Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, agreed that the bill favors older people, and pointed out that there is no exception for mothers, especially in rural areas, with multiple children.
“My daughter, I think she might have to go 20 miles (to vote), right?” Michelsen said. “I don’t see anything in here that addresses the needs of young families, young mothers… Are we trying to limit people’s participation and their voice by running this?”
The committee voted to advance Alfieri’s bill, clearing the way for a full hearing in the coming days or weeks.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — A joint investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Home Police Department has led to the arrest of a man accused of multiple sexual offenses in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home.
An arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2026, for Dillon Thorpe following an investigation conducted by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Thorpe was taken into custody on June 11, 2026, on a warrant by the Idaho State Police.
Thorpe is charged with rape, child enticement, lewd conduct with a minor, and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Authorities said additional details about the investigation will not be released at this time because of the nature of the crimes and to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional suspected victims and/or witnesses who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information or evidence relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain Home Police Department to make a report.
DENVER (KDVR) — Three Colorado motorcyclists died on Tuesday in northern Idaho after a pickup truck driver, also from Colorado, hit all three while trying to pass another vehicle, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the town of Kooskia on U.S. 12, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as a 60-year-old Colorado Springs woman, was headed west on the highway when she crossed the double yellow line in a no-passing zone while trying to pass another vehicle.
She then collided head-on with the three motorcycles that were headed east on the highway.
The three motorcyclists died at the scene. The Idaho County Coroner identified the motorcyclists as: Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath, Jeremy Coleman, 45 of Berthoud, and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland.
The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police later identified Coleman and Powers as a sergeant and deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and McCormick as Coleman’s son-in-law.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, coworkers, and the members of FOP Lodge 4 as they face the difficult days ahead,” the union said. “The law enforcement profession is built on service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. Sgt. Coleman and Deputy Powers dedicated their lives to protecting their community, and their impact will continue to be felt by those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.”
The truck driver was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being released then arrested. She was booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter, police said.
The following is a press release from the Idaho State Police:
The Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating a three-fatality crash that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on U.S. Highway 12 near milepost 113 east of Kooskia.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The pickup crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with three motorcycles traveling eastbound.
The three motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 60-year-old female driver of the Ford, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Following her release, she was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.
U.S. Highway 12 was closed for approximately six and one-half hours while emergency responders assisted at the scene and investigators processed evidence.
ISP was assisted by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS personnel.
The crash remains under investigation.
-
World17 seconds agoUS tells ASML it is concerned China may have top chip tool, Bloomberg News reports
-
News3 minutes agoSan Francisco Film Patrons Are Found Dead on Side of Highway
-
Politics8 minutes agoVideo: Reflecting Pool Turns Green, Paint Peels After Renovation
-
Health23 minutes agoNew At-Home DNA Test Reveals if GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Will Work for You
-
Lifestyle38 minutes agoWhat does freedom actually look like? : It’s Been a Minute
-
Technology48 minutes agoBarret Zoph is out at OpenAI again after just five months
-
World53 minutes agoIran hardliner behind US deal warns Tehran won’t honor agreement if Trump fails to deliver
-
Politics1 hour agoTop GOP lawmaker rallies around conservative school board member facing calls to resign
