Redistricting Process: Idaho’s Commission for Reapportionment controls legislative and congressional redistricting. As directed in Title 72, Chapter 15 of the Idaho State Code, the six-member Commission is composed of one designee each from the leaders of both parties of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as one designee by the state chairpersons of each party. The code suggests that the appointing authorities attempt to achieve geographic representation, but it is not legally mandated. Like Alaska and Hawaii, Idaho requires that the members of the Commission for Reapportionment not hold any type of public office. Moreover, the members cannot be registered lobbyists, and must be registered voters.
After the commission is formed, it is required to begin holding meetings throughout the state where any individual citizen can present a redistricting plan. Within 90 days of its creation, the commission must approve a plan with a two-thirds vote. This plan is not subject to approval by the legislature or veto by the governor. Since there are only two congressional districts in Idaho, congressional districting does not generate much controversy in the state.
Governor: Republican Clement “Butch” Otter
Legislature: Republicans control both chambers.
Number of Congressional Seats in 2011: 2 (no change from 2010)
2011 Ideal District Population: 783,791
Current District by District Politics and Demographics
1st District– Republican Raul Labrador
2010 Congressional Results: Labrador 51%
2008 Congressional Results: Walt Minnick (D) 50.6%
2006 Congressional Results: Bill Sali (R) 50%
2004 Congressional Results: Butch Otter (R) 70%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 62% Obama 36%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 68% Kerry 30%
District Population: 841,930
Over/Under Populated by: 58,139
White Population: 717,802
African American Population: 3,930
Hispanic Population: 83,326
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 1st District.*
2nd District– Republican Mike Simpson
2010 Congressional Results: Simpson 69%
2008 Congressional Results: Simpson 71%
2006 Congressional Results: Simpson 62%
2004 Congressional Results: Simpson 71%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 61% Obama 36%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 68% Kerry 30%
District Population: 725,652
Over/Under Populated by: 58,139
White Population: 598,441
African American Population: 4,945
Hispanic Population: 92,575
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 2nd District.
*In some browsers, the link to the 2010 Census page may link to a table
of demographics for several states as opposed to the districts for the
specific state. If this occurs, click the “Back to Search” link at the
top of the page and then click on the arrow next to “Geographies” in
the left column. Select “All Congressional Districts within Idaho”
and then close the box. Click on the link for “Race, Hispanic or
Latino, Age and Housing Occupancy: 2010” and the correct table should
appear.
Redistricting Process taken from Rose Institute study “Redistricting in America.”