Take Back Idaho Welcomes Secretary of State Guidance on Voter Guides and Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency

News Release from Take Back Idaho

BOISE, ID — Take Back Idaho issued a statement today in response to recent guidance from the Idaho Secretary of State’s office clarifying that online voter guides such as IdahoVoters.com are now classified as “electioneering communications” under Idaho law.

The clarification comes as more Idahoans turn to nonpartisan, online tools to help navigate a political landscape increasingly clouded by misinformation and performative politics. The Idaho Voter Guide, hosted at IdahoVoters.com, was created by Gregory Graf with the financial backing and support of Take Back Idaho to provide clear, accessible, and factual information on every legislative candidate across the state.

“Our goal with the Idaho Voter Guide has always been simple — to give voters a trustworthy resource where they can see how candidates actually vote, what they say, and who funds their campaigns,” said Jennifer Ellis, Chairwoman of Take Back Idaho. “We designed it to be transparent, factual, and useful to all Idahoans, regardless of party.”

The Secretary of State’s guidance indicates that voter guides referencing candidates within 30 days of an election fall under the electioneering communication statute, even if they do not explicitly advocate for or against any candidate. While the statute was written in the 1970s, decades before the internet, the Secretary of State’s office has taken proactive steps to clarify how it applies to today’s digital communications.

“We appreciate the Secretary of State’s team working with us and providing thoughtful, timely clarification,” Ellis added. “They’re doing the hard work of modernizing election oversight in the digital era, and we’re grateful for their partnership in ensuring transparency and compliance.”

Take Back Idaho has already submitted its filings through the state’s Sunshine system and will continue to file timely reports in future election cycles. The organization also calls on other groups providing similar voter resources to join it in complying with Idaho law.

“Now that there’s clear guidance, we’re excited to improve and expand the voter guide with even more relevant data,” said Ellis. “If a candidate has a pattern of ignoring constituents, toeing an extremist line, or aligning with out-of-state interests, voters deserve to know. We won’t shy away from facts but always present them with clarity and integrity.”

The Idaho Voter Guide includes links to candidate websites, contribution histories, committee assignments, issue positions, and endorsements—all sourced from public records. It also features factual background research on special interest groups and political operatives influencing state politics, to empower voters rather than mislead them.

“Voter guides are not the problem —the lack of consolidated, timely, and factual information is,” Ellis said. “We’re proud to be part of the solution.”

Take Back Idaho reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the Secretary of State’s office and other civic organizations to ensure Idaho voters have the tools to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

“We all want a healthy democracy,” Ellis concluded. “That starts with transparency, fairness, and access to reliable information — and we’re committed to delivering just that.”

​​About Take Back Idaho

Take Back Idaho is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to restoring principled, fact-based leadership to Idaho government. Founded by longtime Idaho Republicans, educators, civic leaders, and business professionals, the organization champions common-sense governance, accountability, and transparency in public service. Through tools like IdahoVoters.com and strategic voter education efforts, Take Back Idaho helps Idahoans cut through misinformation, understand where candidates truly stand, and participate in democracy with confidence. Learn more about Take Back Idaho on their website.

Click image to read complete guidance on voter guide reporting from the Idaho Secretary of State’s office.