Bill Letting Officials Switch Parties Alive

Wed., March 12, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

Rep. Jim Stoicheff tried to derail it, but Sen. Gordon Crow’s bill to allow elected officials to switch parties cleared a House committee Tuesday and headed to the full House for a final vote.

Crow, R-Hayden, proposed the legislation after the Idaho Supreme Court overturned Kootenai County commissioners’ appointment of a new county assessor. Former Assessor Tom Moore, a Democrat, died in office. But shortly before his death, he switched to the Republican party to try to ensure the succession of his chief deputy, a Republican.

Vacancies, by law, are filled from nominations by the previous office-holder’s political party.

Commissioners picked a candidate who, although a Democrat, was on a list submitted by the Republican Party. The court said they should have used the Democrat’s list.

Crow’s bill would allow elected officials to switch parties three months after the election.

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Bill Letting Officials Switch Parties Alive

Jesse Tinsley

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Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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