HJR 6Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
English in Idaho Constitution
Explain it like I'm 5
English is already Idaho's official language under a regular law. This would put that rule in the state Constitution, like writing a house rule in permanent ink instead of on a note.
Yes vote
Adding English as Idaho's official language in the Constitution, with English required for covered government proceedings, documents, and instruction except where federal law requires otherwise.
No vote
English remains Idaho's official language under existing state law without this constitutional amendment.
The question to ask yourself
Is constitutional protection for English necessary when English is already official under state law?
The case for
- A constitutional rule would be harder for future lawmakers to change.
- Supporters see one official language as promoting consistent government operations.
- Voters, rather than only legislators, would decide whether to make the policy constitutional.
Backed by: ProEnglish, State Sen. Brian Lenney, State Rep. Kyle Harris
The case against
- English is already the official language under state law, making the amendment unnecessary.
- The measure could make translated government information harder to provide.
- Constitutional language may make useful future exceptions harder to adopt.
Opposed by: ACLU of Idaho, State Sen. Melissa Wintrow, State Rep. Steve Berch
- Money
- No direct cost or tax effect was identified in the cited sources, so cost is not estimated.
- Don't be misled
- This does not make speaking other languages illegal, because the measure addresses official government activity, not private speech.