On January 19, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced two bills to abolish the Idaho presidential primary. If enacted, they would take effect in time to cancel the 2012 presidential primary.

HB 391 abolishes presidential primaries. HB 392 also abolishes presidential primaries, and in addition it moves the primary for other office from May to early August.

The Democratic and Republican Parties in Idaho use caucuses to choose delegates to the national conventions. The existing Idaho presidential primary is a “beauty contest”, with no binding effect.