As expected, some prominent Idaho Republicans have started pushing back against a new ballot initiative that is designed to end Idaho’s closed primary system and fundamentally change elections in Idaho.
Earlier this month organizers with a new coalition called Idahoans for Open Primaries filed a new ballot initiative with the state that is designed to replace Idaho’s closed primaries with an open primary election that all Idaho voters could participate in, regardless of party affiliation. Under the new primary format, the top four vote-getters from the primary would all advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
The initiative would also transform Idaho’s general elections to include an instant runoff, or ranked choice, voting system. Under that system, Idaho voters would vote for their first-choice candidate in the general election and have the ability to rank the three remaining candidates in order of preference. If one candidate did not receive more than 50 percent of the vote in the first-choice voting, the last-place finisher would be eliminated and their votes would instead be transferred to voters’ second-choice candidate on each of those ballots, with the process continuing until one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes and is the winner.
Organizers of the new open primary initiative oppose the Idaho Republican Party’s closed primary election and say the new open primaries would allow more voters to participate in primary elections and force candidates to appeal to a broader base of voters in order to win election.
The Republican-controlled Idaho Legislature passed a law in 2011, House Bill 351, to close Idaho’s primary elections after the GOP sued the state. Closed primary elections are only open to registered voters who officially affiliate with the party. The law that closed primary elections also gave party leaders the choice to keep their primary elections open, and the Idaho Democratic Party opened its primary elections to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
The Idaho Democratic Party was the only political party to hold open primaries in 2022, the most recent state elections. Both the Libertarian and Constitution parties held closed primary elections in 2022, said Chelsea Carattini, a spokesperson for the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
Idaho GOP leaders denounce new open primary ballot initiative
After the new initiative surfaced, some Republican leaders began pushing back.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, a former member of Congress and the former chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, responded to a tweet about the open primary initiative
“Let’s defeat these bad ideas coming from liberal outside groups,” Labrador tweeted, in part.
As part of the ballot initiative process, Idaho law calls on Idaho’s attorney general to review ballot initiatives “for matters of substantive import and shall recommend to the petitioner such revision or alteration of the measure as may be deemed necessary and appropriate.”
The Idaho Capital Sun requested an interview with Labrador to ask if he has already taken a position on the ballot initiative and if his tweet calling for his followers to “defeat these bad ideas” would affect his review of the ballot initiative.
Labrador did not respond to the questions prior to the Sun’s deadline.
Labrador wasn’t the only prominent Idaho Republican to criticize the open primary initiative.
“The people of Idaho’s elected representatives enacted a statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote,’” Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon said in a written statement. “Now a leftist group is bringing this initiative to repeal ‘one person, one vote’ and replace it with a complicated scheme of ranked multi-voting, where voters choose multiple candidates and their votes are tabulated in a hidden process. This method favors Democrats where it has been used.”
“Idaho’s system works without importing leftist ideas from Oakland or Brooklyn,” Moon added.
Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, sent an email to his supporters calling on them to fight the ballot initiative.
Lenney pointed out the Republican-controlled Idaho Legislature had recently passed a law, House Bill 179, that is designed to prohibit ranked choice voting.
If the new open primary initiative qualifies for the ballot and is approved by more than 50 percent of the voters, it would repeal the Idaho Legislature’s law prohibiting ranked choice voting.
In the email, Lenney told his supporters that “war is upon us.”
“They want Idaho to be the third state to use ‘Ranked Choice voting’ (which produces moderate/liberal candidates) and get rid of our closed primaries (which interferes with party dynamics),” Lenney wrote in the email.
“Next, we’ll see ballot initiatives to legalize weed, and then, abortion,” Lenney added. “I guarantee it… This is why you must be vigilant. This isn’t something I do for you (or, any elected official). This is something WE ALL DO together. So you have to get involved in any way you can. If not… Idaho WILLbecome the next Colorado (a leftist utopia). Do you want your family to live in a red state flipped blue? Can you imagine?”
(15) comments
Opponents of this measure love the idea of minority rule, so that those who know "what's really going on" otherwise known as conspiracy theorists, can make the rules for everyone else. This is not how this country was founded, or what is supposed to be happening. This is the manifestation of fear from a dwindling number of people who are terrified of losing control.
Don't allow a minority of radical leftist commiecrats to manipulate our primaries.
It's really a moot point because they will all
Be gone in 5 years.
Are you off of your meds again? Have you ever considered a different hobby other than making yourself a spectacle?
Have you considered pulling your head out of your azz? In Idaho you are the minority.
If that's true, why do you have such a victim complex?
If that's true? So you're telling me that idaho is a blue state?
Still no Albert Einstein, or even Einstein bagels.
Still smarter than you. Smarter.....stronger.....faster......and have a bigger
Kielbasa.
a polish sausage between the ears is nothing for you to brag about--and you are dumber than Marjorie Taylor Green, which is dumb indeed
Republican Party is the Party of the minority and extremists. They represent the business class and wealthy donors. So is the Democratic Party. Both parties are simply a two heads of the same dragon: pro business - antilabor, pro corporate welfare – anti social safety net, for insurance companies and hospital profit - against affordable functional healthcare, for $7.25 starvation minimum wage – against living wages, for the rich and well off – against struggling people working long hour multiple jobs and still unable to pay the bills and credit card interest. It’s time to brake the two party grip on power.
It’s time to brake what is called “politics of fear”, when you vote against a candidate you dread but not for a one you would like to. It is often referred also as a “vote for a lesser evil ”. Instant runoff ranked choice system will let you vote for a candidate you like as a first choice and not be afraid of a “spoiler” effect. Instant runoff system is precisely a one person one vote because your vote had not been wasted, - do not let them confuse you.
What we are hearing now from people like Raúl Labrador, Dorothy Moon, and Brian Lenney are old Republican play book strategy of Dog Whistle Politics. Today the code words are “liberals”, “outside groups”, “leftist”, “legalize weed”, “abortions”, “vigilant”. Nothing more but a foggy obfuscations, brain wash and a smoke screens like “bad ideas”, “statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote’”, “voters choose multiple candidates”, “votes are tabulated in a hidden process”, “Idaho’s system works” [??? for them ], “importing leftist ideas”, “war is upon us”, “interferes with party dynamics”, “leftist utopia”. They all do not respond to the questions because they are merely engaged in a shallow cultural war, - “red states” vs “blue states”. They have nothing to say on the subject matter substance. I think Idaho Primary and General election system is in an urgent need of improvement and modernization. In fact, we should not be afraid to learn best paractice from a successful experience in the other States and Countries around the World. Do not let then divide and conquer us.
Power belongs to the people. Make no mistake. Republican Party is the party of a minority representing 1% of super rich and powerful donors, and the corporate interests. The government is dysfunctional, because it does not address the issues important to the ordinary people and struggling working Idahoans, but works well defending the special interests and profits. What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt of the shrinking extremist minority Party clinging to power fighting to remain relevant.
Thank you Idahoans for Open Primaries Coalition for standing for the ordinary people.
Please let me know where I can gratefully put my signature under the “Open Primary Ballot Initiative”.
Republican Party is the Party of the minority and extremists. They represent the business class and wealthy donors. So is the Democratic Party. Both parties are simply a two heads of the same dragon: pro business - antilabor, pro corporate welfare – anti social safety net, for insurance companies and hospital profit - against affordable functional healthcare, for $7.25 starvation minimum wage – against living wages, for the rich and well off – against struggling people working long hour multiple jobs and still unable to pay the bills and credit card interest. It’s time to brake the two party grip on power.
It’s time to brake what is called “politics of fear”, when you vote against a candidate you dread but not for a one you would like to. It is often referred also as a “vote for a lesser evil ”. Instant runoff ranked choice system will let you vote for a candidate you like as a first choice and not be afraid of a “spoiler” effect. Instant runoff system is precisely a one person one vote because your vote had not been wasted, - do not let them confuse you.
What we are hearing now from people like Raúl Labrador, Dorothy Moon, and Brian Lenney are old Republican play book strategy of Dog Whistle Politics. Today the code words are “liberals”, “outside groups”, “leftist”, “legalize weed”, “abortions”, “vigilant”. Nothing more but a foggy obfuscations, brain wash and a smoke screens like “bad ideas”, “statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote’”, “voters choose multiple candidates”, “votes are tabulated in a hidden process”, “Idaho’s system works” [??? for them ], “importing leftist ideas”, “war is upon us”, “interferes with party dynamics”, “leftist utopia”. They all do not respond to the questions because they are merely engaged in a shallow cultural war, - “red states” vs “blue states”. They have nothing to say on the subject matter substance. Do not let then divide and conquer us.
Power belongs to the people. Make no mistake. Republican Party is the party of a minority representing 1% of super rich and powerful donors, and the corporate interests. The government is dysfunctional, because it does not address the issues important to the ordinary people and struggling working Idahoans, but works well defending the special interests and profits. What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt of the shrinking extremist minority Party clinging to power fighting to remain relevant.
Thank you Idahoans for Open Primaries Coalition for standing for the ordinary people.
Please let me know where I can gratefully put my signature under the “Open Primary Ballot Initiative”.
Republican Party is the Party of the minority and extremists. They represent the business class and wealthy donors. So is the Democratic Party. Both parties are simply a two heads of the same dragon: pro business - antilabor, pro corporate welfare – anti social safety net, for insurance companies and hospital profit - against affordable functional healthcare, for $7.25 starvation minimum wage – against living wages, for the rich and well off – against struggling people working long hour multiple jobs and still unable to pay the bills and credit card interest. It’s time to brake the two party grip on power.
It’s time to brake what is called “politics of fear”, when you vote against a candidate you dread but not for a one you would like to. It is often referred also as a “vote for a lesser evil ”. Instant runoff ranked choice system will let you vote for a candidate you like as a first choice and not be afraid of a “spoiler” effect. Instant runoff system is precisely a one person one vote because your vote had not been wasted, - do not let them confuse you.
What we are hearing now from people like Raúl Labrador, Dorothy Moon, and Brian Lenney are old Republican play book strategy of Dog Whistle Politics. Today the code words are “liberals”, “outside groups”, “leftist”, “legalize weed”, “abortions”, “vigilant”. Nothing more but a foggy obfuscations, brain wash and a smoke screens like “bad ideas”, “statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote’”, “voters choose multiple candidates”, “votes are tabulated in a hidden process”, “Idaho’s system works” [??? for them ], “importing leftist ideas”, “war is upon us”, “interferes with party dynamics”, “leftist utopia”. They all do not respond to the questions because they have nothing to say on the subject matter substance.
Power belongs to the people. Make no mistake. Republican Party is the party of a minority representing 1% of super rich and powerful donors, and the corporate interests. The government is dysfunctional, because it does not address the issues important to the ordinary people and struggling working Idahoans, but works well defending the special interests and profits. What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt of the shrinking extremist minority Party clinging to power fighting to remain relevant.
Thank you Idahoans for Open Primaries Coalition for standing for the ordinary people.
Please let me know where I can gratefully put my signature under the “Open Primary Ballot Initiative”.
Republican Party is the Party of the minority and extremists. They represent the business class and wealthy donors. So is the Democratic Party. Both parties are simply a two heads of the same dragon: pro business - antilabor, pro corporate welfare – anti social safety net, for insurance companies and hospital profit - against affordable functional healthcare, for $7.25 starvation minimum wage – against living wages, for the rich and well off – against struggling people working long hour multiple jobs and still unable to pay the bills and credit card interest. It’s time to brake the two party grip on power.
It’s time to brake what is called “politics of fear”, when you vote against a candidate you dread but not for a one you would like to. It is often referred also as a “vote for a lesser evil ”. Instant runoff ranked choice system will let you vote for a candidate you like as a first choice and not be afraid of a “spoiler” effect. Instant runoff system is precisely a one person on vote because your vote had not been wasted, - do not let them confuse you.
What we are hearing now from people like Raúl Labrador, Dorothy Moon, and Brian Lenney are old Republican play book strategy of Dog Whistle Politics. Today the code words are “liberals”, “outside groups”, “leftist”, “legalize weed”, “abortions”, “vigilant”. Nothing more but a foggy obfuscations, brain wash and a smoke screens like “bad ideas”, “statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote’”, “voters choose multiple candidates”, “votes are tabulated in a hidden process”, “Idaho’s system works” [??? for them ], “importing leftist ideas”, “war is upon us”, “interferes with party dynamics”, “leftist utopia”. They all do not respond to the questions because they have nothing to say on the subject matter substance.
Power belongs to the people. Make no mistake. Republican Party is the party of a minority representing 1% of super rich and powerful donors, and corporate interests. The government is dysfunctional, because it does not address the issues important to the ordinary people and struggling working Idahoans, but works well defending the special interests and profits. What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt of the shrinking extremist minority Party clinging to power fighting to remain relevant.
Thank you Idahoans for Open Primaries Coalition for standing for the ordinary people.
Please let me know where I can gratefully put my signature under the “Open Primary Ballot Initiative”.
Republican Party is the Party of the minority and extremists. They represent the business class and wealthy donors. So is the Democratic Party. Both parties are simply a two heads of the same dragon: pro business - antilabor, pro corporate welfare – anti social safety net, for insurance companies and hospital profit - against affordable functional healthcare, for $7.25 starvation minimum wage – against living wages, for the rich and well off – against struggling people working long hour multiple jobs and still unable to pay the bills and credit card interest. It’s time to brake the two party grip on power.
It’s time to brake what is called “politics of fear”, when you vote against a candidate you dread but not for a one you would like to. It is often referred also as a “vote for a lesser evil ”. Instant runoff ranked choice system will let you vote for a candidate you like as a first choice and not be afraid of a “spoiler” effect. Instant runoff system is precisely a one person on vote because your vote had not been waisted, - do not let them confuse you.
What we are hearing now from people like Raúl Labrador, Dorothy Moon, and Brian Lenney are old Republican play book strategy of Dog Whistle Politics. Today the code words are “liberals”, “outside groups”, “leftist”, “legalize weed”, “abortions”, “vigilant”. Nothing more but a foggy obfuscations, brain wash and a smoke screens like “bad ideas”, “statutory defense of ‘one person, one vote’”, “voters choose multiple candidates”, “votes are tabulated in a hidden process”, “Idaho’s system works” [??? for them ], “importing leftist ideas”, “war is upon us”, “interferes with party dynamics”, “leftist utopia”. They all do not respond to the questions because they have nothing to say on the subject matter substance.
Power belongs to the people. Make no mistake. Republican Party is the party of a minority representing representing 1% of super rich and powerful donors, and corporate interests. The government is dysfunctional, because it does not address the issues important to the ordinary people and struggling working Idahoans, but works well defending the special interests. What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt of the shrinking extremist minority Party clinging to power fighting to remain relevant.
Thank you Idahoans for Open Primaries Coalition for standing for the ordinary people.
Please let me know where I can gratefully put my signature under the “Open Primary Ballot Initiative”.
the best is becoming as annoying as "no Einstein" -- once was enough Dude
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