Attorney General Says Constitution Can’t Be Amended By Initiative Secretary Of State Ordered To Reject Measure By U.S. Militia

Attorney General Alan Lance has rejected a proposed initiative from U.S. Militia Association representative Chuck Dalton, because the Idaho Constitution can’t be amended that way.

Lance on Friday directed Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa to reject a proposed initiative from Dalton.

It was intended to guarantee “the exercise and enjoyment of the right of conscience and personal determination of moral agency.”

Lance’s office said Idaho’s Constitution has only two ways that the document can be amended, and both require approval by both chambers of the Idaho Legislature.

“Because the document you filed with the secretary of state’s office purports to amend the Constitution by initiative, it cannot be properly considered an initiative, and cannot be put before the voters,” the attorney general’s advisory said.

U.S. Militia Association supporters also presented proposed initiatives to allow private militias to bear arms, and one that would bar most abortions, on possible penalty of death.

Lance’s office still is making a preliminary review of those proposals.

Supporters of proposed initiatives must gather 41,335 signatures of registered voters by next July.

The secretary of state’s office said as of Friday afternoon, seven initiative proposals were circulating and five others still were in the review process.