Idaho Voters Approve English as Official Language, Reject Abortion Measure
Idaho voters approve English as official language, reject abortion measure and choose state gun in midterms.
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Idaho voters made several key decisions in the 2026 midterm elections, including selecting the Winchester Model 1873 as the state’s official gun, approving English as the official language, and rejecting a proposed abortion measure.
Winchester Model 1873 Chosen as State Gun
Residents of Idaho voted to make the Winchester Model 1873 the official state gun, a choice that reflects the historical significance of the firearm in the state’s development. The gun, known as the ‘Gun that Won the West,’ received 31.10% of the vote, with 164,383 ballots cast, according to VoteIdaho.gov. The measure was non-binding, and the state legislature would need to take action to officially designate the firearm as the state gun.
English Becomes Official State Language
Idaho voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to make English the official language of the state. The measure passed with 63.17% of the vote, receiving 447,661 votes. The amendment would require the use of English in all public proceedings, documents, and education, except where required by federal law.
Abortion Measure Rejected
Idaho voters rejected a proposed measure that would have legalized abortion up to the point of fetal viability and in cases of medical emergencies after viability. The measure failed by an 11% margin, with 404,816 votes for ‘NO’ and 318,795 votes for ‘YES.’ The current law in Idaho prohibits abortion except in cases where the pregnant woman’s life is at risk or in documented cases of rape or incest.
Additional Ballot Measures
Idahoans also voted against a constitutional amendment that would have granted the state legislature exclusive authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances, bypassing the current initiative process.
Source: OANN
