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Idaho · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

House Joint Resolution 6: what your vote means

English as the official state language. On every Idaho ballot. Official sources checked October 22, 2026.

House Joint Resolution 6 · Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

English as the official state language

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

“Shall Article X of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended by the addition of a new Section 8, to provide that the English language shall be the official language for the state of Idaho, and to further provide that, except as required by federal law, English shall be used in all public proceedings, public documents, public instruction, and any other public acts of any public institution in the state of Idaho?”

Ballot question as printed in the 2026 Idaho Voter Pamphlet, Secretary of State.

A YES vote means:

English would become Idaho’s official language in the constitution, and state and local proceedings, documents, and public school instruction would be in English except where federal law requires otherwise.

A NO vote means:

The constitution would not change; it currently does not designate an official state language.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: state and local governments, public schools, courts, and people who use government services.
  • Examples (Legislative Council): city council meetings, jury trials, and government documents would be in English.
  • Exception: other languages may be used when required by federal law.
  • Fiscal impact: No official fiscal impact statement is published in the Idaho Voter Pamphlet for this legislative amendment.

Official arguments, summarized

Short neutral summaries of the arguments printed in the official voters’ pamphlet. The committees that wrote them are responsible for their content. Read the full text at the link below.

Argument for

Supporters say it could encourage people to learn English, promote unity, and limit spending on other-language communications.

Argument against

Opponents say state law already makes English official in more detail, the amendment might restrict foreign-language classes, and it could signal that non-English speakers are unwelcome.

Legislative Council statements for and against HJR 6, 2026 Idaho Voter Pamphlet (PDF, p. 5)

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed.

Who supports it

Not yet compiled

Who opposes it

Not yet compiled

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.