Idaho Voters Decide Nov. 3 on Making English the Official Language

Idaho voters will decide Tuesday whether to amend the state constitution to make English the official language, the Spokesman-Review reported. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, House Joint Resolution 6 would add a section to Article X requiring English in public acts, except where federal law requires otherwise.

A 2007 statute already makes English the sole language of government, with exemptions for law enforcement, education, public health and safety, and tourism and economic development. Sen. Brian Lenney, a Nampa Republican and co-sponsor, told the Spokesman-Review the public health and safety exception is “wide enough to drive a truck through.” Mari Ramos of the Idaho Hispanic Foundation said the amendment does not clearly define how it would apply to educational programs and does not preserve the law enforcement exception that allows other languages, such as for witnesses.

University of Idaho law professor Richard Seamon told the paper it is unclear how the amendment would interact with the existing exceptions. The Idaho Capital Sun reported that the amendment does not specify enforcement or penalties and that the attorney general’s office issued no opinion on it. The Capital Sun reported it passes with more than 50% of the vote.