More than Three-in-Four Idaho Residents Favor Official English Legislation

77 percent of Idaho voters support common language policy for state government

77 percent of registered voters in Idaho favor making English the official language of the state, according to a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. The survey found that the overwhelming majority of Idaho residents want the state to conduct business in English, including strong majorities within each political party and each section of the state. The survey of 625 registered voters was conducted Feb. 7-9, 2007 and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.

“Americans have long called for English to be made our official language, and the residents of Idaho are no exception,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. “A focus on English acquisition is a pro-immigrant, pro-America policy that leads to increased incomes, increased participation in society, and most important, increased growth for residents and for the state.”

According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 50,000 residents of Idaho were classified as limited English proficient in 2005, more than double the 1990 figure. An examination of earnings data from the Census found that immigrants at the lowest level of English proficiency earned almost 25 percent less than those with a slight grasp of English. Although Idaho has not considered an official English bill in recent years, the 2006 election season brought considerable discussion that the state and its residents would be best served by encouraging assimilation and unity.

Making English the official language of a state calls upon the government to conduct business in English and limit governmental multilingualism to common-sense exceptions such as health care, public safety, judicial proceedings and tourism. To date, 28 states have English as their official language. In November 2006, Arizona became the newest addition to the list when nearly 75 percent of the voters affirmed Proposition 103.

“Though there remains much debate on immigration policy, this poll demonstrates that there is no such debate on what type of assimilation policy the Idaho legislature should advance,” remarked Mujica. “Idahoans would never want to live in an English-only state, but they are equally opposed to an English-optional state. I look forward to working with members of the legislature to craft a policy that benefits all Idaho residents.”

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.