Idaho Constitutional Amendment (House Joint Resolution 6)

BALLOT LANGUAGE

This proposed constitutional amendment would designate English as the official state language. All official speeches, meetings, and other proceedings of state and local governments, such as city council meetings and jury trials, would be conducted in English, and instruction in public schools would be provided in English. All documents of state and local government entities would be published in English. However, the amendment would allow languages other than English to be used when required by federal law.  

Question: 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?  

A YES vote supports adding a provision to the Idaho Constitution that designates English as the state's official language.  

A NO vote opposes adding a provision to the Idaho Constitution that designates English as the state's official language, maintaining English as the state's official language in state statute only.

WHAT IT MEANS

Yes

A "Yes" vote would amend the Idaho Constitution to establish English as the official state language.

No

A "No" vote would keep current Idaho Statute which establishes English as the official state language but would not establish it in the Idaho Constitution. 

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST

Yes

“The amendment could encourage non-English speakers to learn English to be able to better participate in public life. This could promote unity and create a stronger sense of community and shared identity. Non-English speakers would still have language assistance for critical government services, because that is required by federal law. The amendment could promote social cohesion without endangering anyone.  

The amendment could promote cost-efficient government by limiting the resources spent on communications in languages other than English.” - Idaho Secretary of State Voter Pamphlet 

"This is a resolution that essentially says that language matters. It speaks to who we are as a nation. It binds us together as a people. It ties us to our history, our heroes and our heritage." - Brian Lenney, State Senator 

“One of the things that unites us all as a culture, as a country, as a state, is language. And we see more and more people that are moving to the United States. And what used to be the desired effect, which was assimilation — learn the language, learn the culture, learn the history — those things have slipped away. And we don’t see assimilation anymore. And I believe that if we have a common language, then our culture will survive.” - Dale Hawkins, State Representative 

No

“The amendment is unnecessary because state law already makes English the official state language. The existing law is better than the amendment because the existing law is much more detailed. For example, the law allows public schools to teach foreign languages to interested students. The amendment, by requiring that all public instruction be conducted in English, might not allow this.  

The amendment could create social division by signaling to non-English speakers that they are unwelcome in the state and their communities.” - Idaho Secretary of State Voter Pamphlet 

"It’s pretty clear that English is our official language, and now we’re going to spend $300,000 to put it on the ballot — when we are struggling to pay the bills." - Melissa Wintrow, State Senator 

“We see people working very hard to learn English, but learning a language takes time. And someone shouldn’t have to wait until they’re fluent in English to understand critical information — from their child’s school or interacting with local government or understanding information that’s already affecting their family, their health, their safety.” - Mari Ramos, Idaho Hispanic Foundation 

ENDORSEMENTS

Yes

Jim Guthrie (Other)

Dave Lent (Other)

Christy Zito (Conservative)

Van Burtenshaw (Conservative)

Doug Ricks (Conservative)

No

Steve Berch (Liberal)

Ilana Rubel (Liberal)

Melissa Wintrow (Liberal)

John Gannon (Liberal)

Todd Achilles (Liberal)

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

Yes

IDAHO HJR 6, ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL STATE LANGUAGE AMENDMENT (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Idaho as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026. As of October 12, 2026, no committee to support the amendment has been identified. Thus, there is no record of funds raised to support the amendment.

No

IDAHO HJR 6, ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL STATE LANGUAGE AMENDMENT (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Idaho as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026. As of October 12, 2026, no committee to oppose the amendment has been identified. Thus, there is no record of funds raised to oppose the amendment.

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