There is one antidote for political uncertainty in Idaho – voting
From scrambling to fill gaps left by resignations in the Idaho House of Representatives to choosing or rejecting conformity with federal tax code, the legislative session begins on Monday with elevated levels of uncertainty.
The number and complexity of decisions lawmakers will face is head spinning, and all in the context of an estimated $40.3 million deficit this year and as much as $555.3 million next year.
The issues include Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, lowering the income tax rate to 5%, easing abortion restrictions, training and retaining physicians, potential public school budget cuts, the Idaho Home Learning Academy, the Parental Choice Tax Credit program, mental health services, easing restrictions on offering first aid to minors, alleged abuse of female prisoners, managing public lands, competing needs connected to water, agriculture, energy, transportation, and population growth, workforce, economic, and public safety issues resulting from federal immigration policy, the cost of living, additional social behavior restrictions in state-funded spaces, the presidential primary date, federal involvement in state elections, and money in politics.
The uncertainty lawmakers will confront this year will beget uncertainty across the state, compounded by a federal government replete with surprises. The individual anxiety of prolonged uncertainty is, according to psychologists, among the most insidious stressors human beings experience. As it lingers, individuals enter a state of burnout — emotional, physical, and mental weariness.
The temptation to check out is strong.
We cannot. Idahoans willing to fight for our state will engage in one civic act they can control. They will vote in the May primary and again in November with a high degree of confidence that their ballot will be counted accurately. The integrity of Idaho’s elections has received national recognition and statewide praise. If you are an Idaho resident with a current Idaho driver’s license or other government issued ID, registering to vote is easy at VoteIdaho.Gov. Voter ID laws enacted in 2024 have made registering to vote for others more complicated, more time consuming, and often more expensive. The League is in the business of helping people in this group—among them: college students who do not drive, people with disabilities, homebound elderly, residents of care facilities, those who are unhoused, and women who have changed their name because of marriage. For those who face barriers, the clock is ticking to prepare for the May primary. County clerks, the League, and other voter service nonprofits are eager to help.
Even if your side loses in this year’s elections, you will have used a sliver of your time otherwise viewing the news and doom scrolling to accomplish one of the few acts in your control. It will not make watching this legislative session any easier or ease all stress. But it is an important start. For more information about registering to vote or the voting process, contact the League at lwv.idaho@gmail.com.
Written by Jean Henscheid