MUNICIPALITIES – Amends existing law to provide that cities with 25,000 residents or less may provide for election of councilmen by districts and that cities with greater than 25,000 residents shall provide for the election of councilmen by districts.

This Idaho bill (S 1075) changes how municipal councils are elected based on city population. Cities with 25,000 residents or fewer may choose to elect council members by geographic districts, while cities with more than 25,000 residents must use district-based elections. The law requires cities to establish districts using contiguous voting precincts and ensure each district has roughly equal population, with districts set at least 120 days before elections. It directly affects all Idaho cities, altering their council election structure depending on size. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.