HB 223 imposes felony liability on individuals who assist in the collection or conveyance of absentee ballots.
This bill is a solution in search of a problem. Ballot tampering is already illegal in the state of Idaho. HB 223 however, would subject caretakers, legal guardians, and roommates to felony liability if they were to carry another's ballot. This leaves Idahoans who may need assistance but don't have family members nearby, uniquely disadvantaged.
HB 223 will also severely disadvantage the elderly and differently-abled persons who may rely on third-party assistance to collect and cast their ballot.