Abortion access ballot initiative's support spreads across party lines + Trump won't sign bipartisan housing law

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

Volunteers pass boxes full of signed ballot initiative petitions through the Idaho Capitol on July 2. If approved for November’s ballot and then by voters, the proposed Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act would restore abortion access “without government interference” until fetal viability, and would protect fertility treatments and other reproductive care such as contraception. (Photo by Kelcie Moseley-Morris/Stateline)

ELECTION 2026

In deep red Idaho, support for ballot question on abortion access is spread across party lines

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris

Despite Idaho’s status as a deeply conservative state — President Donald Trump won here by nearly 37 percentage points in 2024 — an estimated one-fourth, or 28%, of more than 110,000 signatures collected by the group spearheading the proposed Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act are from registered Republicans.

According to the campaign’s data, more than 33% of the signers are unaffiliated voters, 37% are Democrats and about 1% are Libertarians. Those shares may be higher or lower once the petitions are certified by the Idaho Secretary of State’s office to put the proposal on the November ballot.

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026 in Keystone, South Dakota. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Trump won’t sign housing bill in protest over SAVE Act, but it may still become law

By Jacob Fischler

President Donald Trump said Friday morning he would not sign federal legislation aimed at lowering the cost of housing, but the bipartisan package is set to become law at 12:01 a.m. Saturday anyway.

In a post to his social media site, Trump again said that as a protest against Congress not passing an elections bill known as the SAVE America Act he considers a top priority, he would not sign the housing bill that both chambers of Congress passed with wide margins.

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ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Trump administration threatens to criminally prosecute Idaho election officials if noncitizens vote | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Snake River water trust users won’t face water curtailment in Idaho this summer | Clark Corbin
Independent John Stegner launches campaign for Idaho governor | Clark Corbin
Bracing for Idaho’s new ban, group maps safe bathrooms across the state for trans people | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Need help? Idaho state health agency, nonprofits, churches collaborate to create resource network | Laura Guido
Idaho US Rep. Simpson supports overhaul of H-2A migrant farmworker program | Laura Guido
Expanded SNAP work requirements now in effect in Idaho | Laura Guido
IDHW director: Rural health grant may be ‘economic opportunity’ for small communities | Laura Guido

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Coeur d’Alene Press: Idaho releases a million kokanee
Idaho EdNews: Stegner criticizes Little, Legislature in gubernatorial campaign kickoff
Idaho News 6: How did the Claremont Fire start? Investigators seek tips after 6,500 acres burn in the Foothills
KMVT: City of Twin Falls starts discussions on the 2027 budget
Local News 8: Fort Hall opens new 25,000-square-foot fire station

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