BOISE, Idaho – Idaho voters will soon have a significant decision to make regarding how their elections are conducted. On the ballot this November is Proposition 1, an initiative that proposes repealing Idaho’s closed party primaries and establishing ranked-choice voting in general elections.
This initiative has sparked both support and opposition across the state. Former Republican Governor Butch Otter is in favor, while current Republican Governor Brad Little and Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan oppose it.
Commissioner Duncan expressed her satisfaction with the current election system, stating, “I’m secure, confident, and comfortable with the way we run elections. One vote, one person, and I think that’s the way it should stay.”
However, Idahoans for Open Primaries, holds a different perspective. Luke Mayville, a spokesperson for the group, highlighted the limitations of the closed primary system, explaining, “In Idaho, we have a closed primary election system and that means if you’re an independent voter, you get blocked from voting in the most important elections in the state. Proposition 1 would restore the right of every voter to participate in every election, including primaries, and it would also give every voter better choices in general elections.”
Currently, only registered Republicans can vote in Republican primaries. Proposition 1 aims to open the primaries to all voters, similar to the voting procedures before 2011.
Mayville said that the closed primaries restricts 270,000 independent voters, stating, “Party insiders have restricted the process and closed the primary, shutting out 270,000 independent voters. Proposition 1 is really about going back to an open system like we used to have.”
Duncan countered, “That’s actually not true. Independents can vote in the primary, they just cannot vote on the Republican ticket, which is the only closed primary. And nobody is stopping them from registering as a Republican and then they would have the ability to vote in that one closed primary.”
Proposition 1 also includes implementing ranked-choice voting for the general election. Mayville explained how this system works, noting, “When you show up to vote, there will be four candidates on your ballot, and if you want to, you have the option to rank them 1 through 4. First choice, second choice, third choice, fourth choice.”
A candidate must receive at least 51% of the vote to win, with the process continuing until one candidate reaches this threshold.
Duncan expressed concerns about the transparency of elections under Prop 1, emphasizing, “Right now you get everything certified through the county clerk. This would no longer happen. You’d have to go to a centralized location.”
Mayville addressed these concerns, “There’s a lot of misinformation swirling around about issues of transparency. There’s not any evidence for those claims in other states and communities across the country with ranked-choice voting.”
Questions about funding for the initiative also arose, with Duncan questioning out-of-state financial support.
“There’s been a lot of money from outside of Idaho put into this and my question is why. Why are people outside of Idaho so concerned about Idaho elections,” said Duncan.
Mayville responded, stating, “Proposition 1 is a homegrown Idaho campaign. It was launched by a coalition of Idahoans. We have collected donations from over 5,000 donors in Idaho coming from all 44 counties.”
To become law, Proposition One needs a simple majority vote. However, the Idaho Legislature could amend or repeal it even if it passes.
Readers who want to learn more about Proposition 1 can visit this link.
