Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, signed legislation on April 17 that raises the bar for ballot initiatives, effectively giving rural residents a greater say in shaping the state’s legal landscape. By signing Senate Bill 1110, Little implemented a change to Idaho’s ballot initiative framework, which previously required signatures from 6 percent of voters in 18 legislative districts, but now needs 6 percent from all 35 of the state’s districts for new legislation to be placed on the ballot for a popular vote. While the overall number of signatures needed to get an initiative on the ballot remains the same, they will need to be collected from a much wider area, effectively giving urban centers less clout. In a transmittal letter (pdf) explaining his decision, Little expressed his support for legislation that has the “goal of ensuring that the rights of all Idahoans—not just those in urban areas—have a voice …