Questions and Answers

What is the Idaho People’s Legislature?

The Idaho People’s Legislature will be an organized body of citizens who meet each year during the Idaho legislative session to review bills coming out of the State Legislature and evaluate them on the basis of whether they will actually help and be good for Idaho and Idahoans. The “IPL” would then either take a vote to support or oppose those bills or propose ways of improving them. The IPL would also develop its own legislative ideas when a need is seen to do so. The conclusions and findings of the IPL would be widely shared both during the legislative session and throughout the year.

Who would be the members of the Idaho People’s Legislature?

The IPL “legislators” would be randomly selected each year from across all legislative districts in the state, from among a pool of anyone showing interest. The selection or “sortition” process, while random, would be designed to ensure that the body of delegates reflects the diversity of Idaho’s population. In terms of number, as there are 105 legislators in the official legislature (one from each district), the current thought is that the IPL would also have 105, with possibly another 105 as alternates.

Why is the Idaho People’s Legislature needed?

The official Idaho Legislature is, as with many legislatures, driven largely by party thinking, partisanship, lobbyist influence, political horse-trading, and a lack of access and transparency. Bills coming out of the Idaho Legislature have been increasingly ideological and fear-based in nature, rather than conceived for the purpose of actually helping Idaho and Idahoans. We believe that the Idaho People’s Legislature can demonstrate a better approach by serving as a forum free from party rule and lobbyists, inviting of voices affected by what is being proposed,  truly responsive to the needs and aspirations of Idahoans, and based on authentic, creative dialogue among citizens. It is hoped that the IPL can have a positive influence on legislation, on the Legislature (including its culture, process, and products), and on citizen participation in general.

Is the Idaho People’s Legislature backed by any party or organization?

No. The Idaho People’s Legislature is completely non-partisan and is starting as an Idaho-based grassroots effort.

Does the Idaho People’s Legislature exist already? If not, when is it going to be up and running?

The Idaho People’s Legislature is in the early stages of design and organizing. We expect to be up and running at a pilot stage, at least, for the upcoming (January 2026) legislative session.

Is this being done elsewhere yet?

While there are now many examples of “citizens’ assemblies,” comprised of randomly-selected citizens, organized to supplement traditional governance systems, we are not aware of one being organized to parallel a state legislature.

How can I help?

The Idaho People’s Legislature will need many volunteers to help with early organization and then with launch and operation. Reach out to us through the Get Involved page.