ID S1302

Requires single countywide highway districts in counties with populations over 200,000 to hold primary elections for commissioner races beginning in 2028, shifting from nonpartisan to partisan elections

Expands voting rights so qualified voters can vote for all countywide highway district commissioner offices rather than only the commissioner representing their subdistrict

Mandates candidates declare political party affiliation or unaffiliated status on declarations of candidacy, with party affiliation displayed on ballots for these large-district races

Adds single countywide highway district commissioner positions to existing election code provisions governing write-in candidates, independent candidates, vacancy procedures, and filing requirements

Declares an emergency with staggered effective dates: candidacy declaration provisions effective upon passage, primary election provisions effective July 1, 2026, and ballot format changes effective January 1, 2027