The Idaho Senate on Wednesday, March 25 passed S 1398. The measure would restore the state-funded presidential primary and consolidate it with other primaries in the Gem state on the Tuesday after the first Monday in May.
In a 23-10 vote, all six Democratic senators joined most of the majority Republican caucus, including the leadership, in voting for the legislation. Ten junior Republican senators -- all either in their first or second terms in the upper chamber -- peeled off the majority in opposition.
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Noteworthy: At first blush, the Senate's passage of S 1398 would seemingly set up an impasse with the Idaho House. The lower chamber earlier in the 2026 session backed a measure that would also reestablish the presidential primary, but do so as a standalone election scheduled earlier in the year on Super Tuesday. That legislation came to the Senate before S 1398 was introduced.That difference across chambers is important in light of the fact that the legislature in Boise is winding down its work for the session. The target date to adjourn sine die is Friday, March 27 (today), but the House is likely to carry its business over into the weekend and the Senate's work is likely to push into next week.
With the clock ticking, the presidential primary -- either conception of it -- may or may not be a priority. And reconciling the two versions may not be possible.
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See also:
3/4/26: "Idaho Legislature might bring back presidential primary, after caucus had ‘dismal’ turnout"
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This action has been added to the annotated 2028 presidential primary calendar over at our sister site, FHQ Plus.
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