Eye on Boise: Now they’re even in your phone – Idaho campaigns reach out by text

Pretty much everyone I know with an Idaho cellphone number, including me, received one or more texts in the past week from the campaign promoting Proposition 1, the initiative to authorize betting machines at Idaho racetracks and simulcast facilities.

Though this type of campaigning is common elsewhere, it’s the first such widespread campaign text effort I’ve seen in Idaho. Other campaign texts have gone out to Idaho voters this year in campaigns regarding both Idaho ballot measures, get-out-the-vote efforts, and even in regard to recent rallies held by President Donald Trump in Nevada and Montana.

Jacklyn Kettler, a political scientist with Boise State University, said campaigning by text is a growing trend. “But I think a lot of people just kind of dismiss it as spam,” she said. “It may be a good way to remind people to go vote, but it might backfire.”

Kettler said some groups are doing their canvassing by text this year rather than by phone bank.

In a tweet this week, the Idaho Democratic Party declared, “We’ve been texting up a storm, and for a good reason – to get Idaho Democrats to the polls!”

Kettler said President Obama pioneered the use of text messages in campaigns, but said, “I do think that some people are not fans.”

WSJ: New Idaho judge is man in a hurry

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting story last week about newly confirmed U.S. 9th Circuit Judge Ryan Nelson of Idaho: that he’s been cited for speeding a dozen times over the past two decades, including eight times in Idaho; and has received at least 28 traffic citations over that time, either pleading or being found guilty in two-thirds of the cases. Court records show Nelson has paid more than $1,300 in fines, the Journal reported, and his violations far exceed most drivers in Idaho and nationwide.

“He’s gotten tickets for speeding, disobeying traffic lights and signs, illegal turns, seat-belt violations, not carrying proof of insurance, skipping an auto inspection and not registering his vehicle,” wrote Journal reporters James V. Grimaldi and Alexa Corse. “He’s been cited on his boat as well. In some cases, he fought the law and the law lost.”

Three candidates, 9 PACs facing fines

Though dozens of candidates and political action committees were late filing their Oct. 10 campaign finance reports, the Idaho secretary of state’s office reports that as of 5 p.m. Friday, just three candidates and nine PACs are facing fines.

“They’ve all been notified that they are being fined,” said Crystal Schultze, election division compliance specialist. “They were due on the 10th. Then a letter goes out saying, ‘Hey, you’re late, and you’ve got till the 19th. If we don’t have it in by the 19th, you will be fined $50 per day.’ So we give them a five-day grace period” after they receive the letter.

That would end next year, if the Idaho Legislature follows the recommendation of an interim committee on campaign finance reform. The joint committee voted unanimously to start the $50 fines the first day a report is late, with no grace period.

The secretary of state’s office reported that Aaron Tribble, a Republican candidate for state Senate in District 19, paid a $50 fine. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, has reported sending his check for a $50 fine, and Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d’Alene, has reported sending his for a $100 fine.

A PAC called The People of Idaho is paying a $50 fine, and Moderates Are Taking Hold, or MATH, is paying $250. Idaho District 14 Democrats are paying $250.

As for the others, Schultze said, “We don’t know how much – until I get that report in. That will determine the amount of their fine.”