Election 2024
Idaho’s closed primaries prevent independent veterans from fully participating in our elections
According to the VA, there are nearly 128,000 military veterans in Idaho. We represent 9% of Idaho’s adult population, which is one of the highest rates in the U.S. Some Idaho vets come from families that have been here for generations, and some settled in Idaho after their service. We are as diverse and independent […]
Need to register to vote? Head to the Idaho Statehouse for National Voter Registration Day.
The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office is partnering with election officials in Ada and Canyon counties to offer voter registration in front of the Idaho Capitol Building on Tuesday to celebrate National Voter Registration Day, according to a press release. The voter registration drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19 […]
Idaho Reps. Moyle, Crane say no agreement yet on special legislative session
A proposal by the Idaho Senate to call a special session of the Idaho Legislature to reinstate the presidential primary election in May does not have the votes to advance in the Idaho House of Representatives, said Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa. “The position the Senate has taken is not going to pass in (the) House […]
Former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter endorses open primary ballot initiative
Former Idaho Gov. Buch Otter endorsed the open primary ballot initiative on Wednesday, becoming the highest profile member of a group of more than 100 Republicans who support the initiative. During a press conference Wednesday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, leaders of a coalition called Idahoans for Open Primaries announced that Otter […]
An Eastern Oregon effort to join Idaho reflects the growing American divide
ENTERPRISE, Ore. — This small ranching town, surrounded by towering tree-topped mountains and a valley of rolling grass fields, sits tucked into the northeast corner of the state — both out of the way and right in the middle of a contentious debate. At a meeting late last month, 25 people packed into a stuffy […]
Idaho Senate reaches support for special session on presidential primary
Republican leaders of the Idaho Senate announced Wednesday they have reached 60% support for a petition to call a special session of the Idaho Legislature to address the state’s eliminated presidential primary election issue. Now, the petition’s supporters must also achieve the support of 60% of the members of the Idaho House of Representatives in […]
Not just Ohio: Biased language is the hot new tactic to thwart ballot measures
Abortion-rights supporters filed a lawsuit Monday against what they call “deceptive” ballot language produced by Ohio officials for the state’s closely-watched upcoming referendum on the issue. But it isn’t just the Buckeye State that’s lately seeing fierce battles over the once-obscure topic of ballot language. In recent weeks, officials in Missouri — where another abortion-rights […]
Idaho legislators circulating petitions to call special session to address primary
Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, has begun circulating what he said is the first of two petitions to call the Idaho Legislature back into special session to consider legislation related to the presidential primary election that legislators eliminated earlier this year. The Idaho Legislature adjourned for the year April 6 but has the new power to […]
As ranked choice voting gains momentum, parties in power push back
Over the past decade, ranked choice voting has become increasingly popular. From conservative Utah to liberal New York City, 13 million American voters in 51 jurisdictions — including all of Alaska and Maine — now use the system, under which voters rank candidates based on preference, leading to an instant runoff in a crowded race. […]
Idaho primary election ballot initiative will allow independent voters to finally have a say
Jerry: I hear some folks are doing a ballot initiative asking voters if Idaho should change to an “open primary.” Carrie: Yes. Their ballot initiative will end Idaho’s closed Republican primary and create a non-partisan primary open to all voters whether they are affiliated with a party or not. Jerry: So that means the 270,000 Idahoans who are […]
Idahoans for Open Primaries to begin ballot initiative signature drive Saturday
Idahoans for Open Primaries is starting its signature collection drive Saturday in hopes that a ballot initiative to end Idaho’s closed primary election will qualify to go before voters in the November 2024 general election. Signature gathering drives kick off at 9 a.m. local time at Kristen Armstrong Park in Boise and at Matchwood Brewing […]
Idaho AG Raúl Labrador provides new ballot titles for open primary initiative
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office submitted revised ballot titles for a primary election ballot initiative Friday afternoon after being ordered to do so by the Idaho Supreme Court. In a written statement Friday afternoon, the group backing the ballot initiative, Idahoans for Open Primaries, said the new ballot titles are a major improvement. “The […]