LDS Church Gives $1 Million to Oppose Idaho Measure

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $1 million to the Too Extreme for Idaho PAC, which opposes Proposition 1, a November ballot measure that would establish reproductive-rights protections and overturn Idaho’s abortion restrictions. The church says it is neutral toward candidates but participates in ballot campaigns it considers to have significant moral consequences; church leaders have also urged opposition to the measure. The donation is the largest reported contribution to the opposition campaign and would substantially increase its funds, while the supporting group Idahoans United for Women and Families has raised more overall. Idaho’s attorney general has said churches may contribute to ballot campaigns without disclosing donors, provided they do not solicit members specifically for those campaigns.