Our Voter Guide for the 2026 ACHD Commissioners Election
Welcome to the Voter Guide for the 2026 ACHD Commissioners Election presented by the Boise Bicycle Project and supported by BABE Vote. The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) governs all of Ada County's roads and transportation infrastructure, from bike lanes to crosswalks to major collectors, and the decisions made by its commissioners affect every resident. This November, two commission seats (Sub-Districts 3 and 4) are on the ballot. And with a sudden move to a countywide election for these seats, it’s more important than ever to make your voice heard and vote for the future of our streets. Below is information on each candidate. Join us at our ACHD Commissioners Forum on Wednesday, October 14th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Lost Grove Brewing to hear from them! This guide will be updated with a transcript from the forum on Friday, October 16th.
Meet the candidates
District 3 candidates
Miranda Gold (Incumbent and Current ACHD Board President)
Why is she running for ACHD Commissioner?:
“I ran for ACHD Commissioner four years ago because I believed Ada County deserved a transportation agency that thinks bigger – about safety, about sustainability, about what it means to build a community where everyone can get where they need to go. Having served on Eagle City Council and understanding the relationship between ACHD and its city partners, I saw opportunities for improvement in how they work together. I ran for ACHD Commissioner to improve coordination with local partners, deliver better outcomes for our residents, and build safer neighborhoods across Ada County.Four years later, I believe that more than ever. Our valley is at a genuine inflection point. The decisions we make right now about how we build our roads, plan our corridors, and invest in safe and connected infrastructure will shape Ada County for decades. Getting this moment right requires experience, relationships, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve.
I am running for re-election because the work is not finished, the growth is not slowing, and I know how to do this job. I am ready to keep fighting for safer streets, smarter growth, and a transportation system built for everyone.”
Key Priorities:
Partner agency alignment: I have spent four years building better relationships with every city in the District and agencies across Ada County. Strong partnerships produce better projects and fewer surprises. I will keep that work going.
Government efficiency: I led a fundamental change to how ACHD approaches its Five-Year Plan, moving from an over-programmed wish list to a focused, collaborative process that steadily advances major capital projects while allowing smaller neighborhood safety projects to move quickly through our Rapid Projects program. That shift is already producing results and I want to continue building on it.
Safety for all users: Safe routes to school, enhanced pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, and infrastructure that works for people walking, biking, and riding transit are not optional extras -- they are the foundation of a livable community. I will continue advocating for them in every project and policy decision.
Endorsements:
State Representative Chris Mathias
Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton
Conservation Voters for Idaho
Former Eagle City Council Member Kenny Pittman
Why is he running for ACHD Commissioner?:
“Honestly? I'm tired of traffic, and I believe the current commission is mismanaging projects and priorities. If I felt otherwise, I wouldn't run.
ACHD's job is to move as many people as efficiently and safely as possible, and that means all people: walkers, bikers, transit riders, and drivers. Some of that requires expanding and creating roads. Some of it requires smarter technology, like modern signal optimization that improves traffic flow for everyone (a cyclist stuck at a badly timed light is just as frustrated as a driver). And a lot of it requires looking 5–10 years ahead and getting in front of growth instead of perpetually reacting to it. Every year we spend catching up is a year we're not building the connected, safe network this county deserves.”
Key Priorities:
Transparency: residents deserve to see how decisions get made and how their dollars get spent.
Operational efficiency: every dollar wasted on mismanagement is a dollar not spent on a safer street, a new sidewalk, or a better crossing.
Genuine coordination with cities on land use: most of our worst traffic and safety problems were baked in years earlier when land-use and transportation decisions were made in separate rooms. ACHD and the cities have to plan together.
District 4 Candidates
Why is she running for ACHD Commission?:
“I started following ACHD when I joined my Neighborhood Association, and I have attended nearly every public hearing since 2018. Over that time, I have watched ACHD make some progress in changing policies and street design to address safety for all modes of transportation. The current District 4 Commissioner is retiring this year, and I don’t want to see ACHD lose what progress they have made. However, ACHD isn’t as responsive to the public as I think they should be. Small issues that could easily be resolved sometimes take years for the agency to address, like the Latah Bike Lane in front of Push and Pour. I am patient and persistent; any ‘no’ I have received from the highway district just means it is a ‘no for now’ and I need to keep trying until it becomes a ‘yes’.”Key Priorities:
Connectivity in new developments: This would mostly affect the fringes of cities where large subdivision projects are still going in. Currently, ACHD has a mid-mile collector policy. I believe that we should move to a third-mile collector system to create more of a grid pattern to help disperse traffic.
Creating a more responsive agency: It should not take multiple phone calls and emails for ACHD to address issues, especially those that are easily solved. Too often it is difficult to get a timely response from staff, and many times it feels like community concerns are shrugged off rather than ACHD working to find a solution to the problem.
Safe roads for all users: I believe ACHD has made real progress in this area, but there is still crucial work to do. As our county continues to grow rapidly, we face intense pressure to widen roads to keep vehicle traffic moving. However, we cannot build our way out of congestion with lanes alone; true traffic relief comes from designing smart, multi-modal corridors that are both highly efficient and safe. I would also love to see ACHD shift toward a more proactive approach to road design, actively identifying and re-engineering high-risk areas before accidents happen, rather than reacting after a tragedy has already occurred.
Dave Case
Why is he running for ACHD Commissioner?
“I want to stay involved in how our community grows in a positive manner that addresses the variety of groups and their interest so that everyone is represented.“
Key Priorities:
Traffic congestion relief
Building smart: on time, on budget, and minimizing traffic flow disruptions
Infrastructure Prepared Growth: anticipating growth rather than reacting to it
Joel Feusch (awaiting response)
Chris Campbell (awaiting response)
Greg Ferch (awaiting response)
Key dates and voting information
Make sure you're prepared to vote in the upcoming ACHD election (register to vote here if you haven’t already!). Here's everything you need to know:
Early Voting: Oct 19th
Preregistration Deadline for the General Election: Oct 23rd
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Oct 23rd
Early Voting for the General Election Ends: Oct 30th
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: Nov 3rd
ELECTION DAY: Nov 5th
Polling Locations:
On Election Day, polls will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Visit (Idaho Polling Place Locator) to find your local polling place.If you are in line before 8 p.m., you can still vote
More information about Ada County elections here
How to get involved
There are several ways you can get involved and ensure your voice is heard in this critical election:
Share This Guide: Help inform your friends, family, and neighbors by sharing this candidate guide. The more people who know about the election and the candidates, the stronger our community will be.
Volunteer: Want to help with election efforts? Join us in encouraging the community to vote for candidates who prioritize safer, more bike-friendly streets. See how to volunteer with us here.
Stay Engaged: After the election, continue to hold ACHD accountable by attending public meetings, providing feedback, and staying informed about transportation decisions in our community. Join our advocacy newsletter to get updates straight to your inbox!
