Bill Lets Officials Switch Parties

Sen. Gordon Crow’s bill to allow elected officials to switch parties while in office cleared a Senate committee Friday.

Crow, R-Hayden, proposed his legislation after former Kootenai County Assessor Tom Moore attempted to switch to the Republican Party 14 days before his death, in an attempt to secure the succession of his GOP deputy.

Idaho law requires such vacancies to be filled from a list of nominees provided by the incumbent’s political party.

Kootenai County commissioners appointed a Democratic successor who was on a list supplied by the Republican Party.

The Idaho Supreme Court this week overturned that decision, saying the commissioners should have chosen from the Democratic Party list.

Idaho has no party registration, other than when a candidate files to run for office.

Under Crow’s bill, an elected official could switch parties once during a term, by filing a notice and paying a $25 fee. The official would have to wait at least three months after being elected to make the switch.

Before the Senate State Affairs Committee voted, Sen. Bruce Sweeney, D-Lewiston, drew laughter when he said, “I’d just like to point out for the record that nobody switched to the Democratic Party and then died.”

The bill, SB 1112, now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

, DataTimes