Item: Adam Johnson announces for sheriff/HucksOnline

JohnA: Well, unable to sleep, I did some research on who can be Sheriff in Idaho. Idaho Code 34-618 (2) states ‘No person shall be elected to the office of sheriff unless he has attained the age of twenty-one (21) years at the time of his election, is a citizen of the United States and shall have resided within the county one (1) year next preceding his election.’ That’s it. However, in 2008 Senate Bill 1356 would have changed the qualifications, adding ‘and is not a convicted felon’ to 34-618 (2). The bill also added training for newly elected Sheriffs. The bill was approved by the Senate but when it went to the House it was amended to remove ‘and is not a convicted felon’. How crazy is that? A person who can’t vote for themselves or carry a gun can still be a Sheriff in Idaho. And who in the House do you think seconded the motion to allow felons to be Sheriff? Our very own Phil Hart. :) Oh, my.

Question: Should Idaho change state law to prevent convicted felons from running for the office of sheriff?