Idaho Election Overhaul Proposed: Open Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting

Published in Food and Wine on Monday, August 11th 2025 at 7:41 GMT by Idaho Capital Sun
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After years of failing to advance legislation to eliminate Idaho's sales tax on groceries, an effort has launched to make the change via voter ballot initiative. Howard Rynearson, Payette County GOP Central Committee chairman, is leading the charge to gather enough signatures to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot. "People are very, very [ ]

Proposed Ballot Initiative Aims to Overhaul Idaho's Election System by Eliminating Closed Primaries and Introducing Ranked-Choice Voting

In a bold move that could reshape Idaho's political landscape, a coalition of citizens and advocacy groups has launched a ballot initiative seeking to dismantle the state's longstanding closed primary system and replace it with an open primary format coupled with ranked-choice voting in general elections. The proposal, spearheaded by the organization Idahoans for Open Primaries, represents a significant push toward greater voter participation and a more inclusive electoral process in a state where party affiliation has long dictated who gets a say in candidate selection.

At the heart of the initiative is the elimination of Idaho's closed primaries, a system that restricts participation to registered party members only. Under the current setup, independents and unaffiliated voters—who make up a substantial portion of Idaho's electorate—are effectively sidelined from primary elections, which often determine the ultimate winners in this predominantly one-party state. Proponents argue that this exclusionary practice disenfranchises a large swath of voters, limiting choices and fostering extremism by allowing only the most ideologically rigid party bases to influence outcomes. By opening primaries to all registered voters regardless of party affiliation, the initiative aims to empower independents and moderates, potentially leading to more centrist candidates advancing to the general election.

The proposal doesn't stop at opening primaries; it also introduces ranked-choice voting (RCV) for general elections, a method already in use in places like Alaska and Maine. In RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. If no candidate secures a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their supporters' second choices are redistributed. This process continues until a candidate achieves a majority. Advocates claim this system reduces the "spoiler effect" of third-party candidates, encourages more civil campaigning, and ensures that winners have broader support. For Idaho, where Republican dominance often results in uncompetitive general elections, RCV could inject new dynamism by allowing voters to express nuanced preferences without fear of wasting their vote.

The initiative's backers, including a diverse array of former elected officials, business leaders, and everyday citizens from across the political spectrum, emphasize that the changes are about restoring faith in democracy. They point to Idaho's low voter turnout rates—often hovering below national averages—and argue that closed primaries contribute to apathy by making many feel their voices don't matter. "This is about giving every Idahoan a fair shot at participating in our elections," said a spokesperson for Idahoans for Open Primaries during a recent press conference. The group has collected tens of thousands of signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2024 ballot, surpassing initial requirements in multiple legislative districts and demonstrating widespread grassroots support.

Opposition to the initiative has been swift and vocal, primarily from within the Idaho Republican Party, which views the changes as a threat to its influence. Critics, including state GOP leaders, contend that opening primaries could dilute party purity and allow "outside influences" like Democrats or independents to meddle in Republican nominations. They warn of potential voter confusion with ranked-choice voting, citing examples from other states where implementation led to delays in vote counting and legal challenges. "This initiative is nothing more than a ploy to undermine conservative values in Idaho," remarked a prominent Republican legislator, echoing sentiments that the proposal could favor more liberal candidates in a conservative stronghold. Some detractors also raise concerns about the costs associated with educating voters and updating election infrastructure, estimating millions in additional expenses for counties already strained by budget constraints.

To understand the broader context, it's worth examining Idaho's political history. The state has operated under a closed primary system since 2011, when lawmakers reversed a previous open primary model amid concerns over crossover voting. This shift was intended to strengthen party control but has coincided with increasing polarization, as evidenced by hardline factions gaining prominence in recent GOP primaries. The current initiative draws inspiration from successful reforms elsewhere; for instance, Alaska's 2020 adoption of open primaries and RCV has been credited with electing more moderate representatives, including a Democrat to the U.S. House in a traditionally red state. Proponents in Idaho hope for similar outcomes, potentially breaking the cycle of one-party rule and encouraging bipartisan cooperation on issues like education funding, property taxes, and public lands management.

Supporters have mounted an aggressive campaign, leveraging social media, town halls, and endorsements from figures like former Governor Butch Otter and other cross-party luminaries to build momentum. They've highlighted polling data showing that a majority of Idaho voters, including many Republicans, favor opening primaries to increase participation. The initiative's language is carefully crafted to address potential legal hurdles, specifying that the top four finishers in the open primary—regardless of party—would advance to the general election, where RCV would apply. This "top-four" model is seen as a compromise that maintains some structure while broadening access.

If approved by voters, the changes would take effect for the 2026 election cycle, marking one of the most significant overhauls in Idaho's electoral history. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Opponents have already signaled intentions to challenge the initiative in court, questioning the validity of signatures and the constitutionality of altering election laws via ballot measure. The Idaho Secretary of State's office is currently verifying petitions, a process that could extend into the summer and potentially delay certification.

Beyond the mechanics, the debate underscores deeper tensions in American politics: the struggle between inclusivity and party control, the role of independents in a two-party system, and the quest for electoral reforms that promote representation without chaos. In Idaho, a state prized for its independent spirit and low population density, this initiative taps into a vein of frontier individualism, challenging voters to decide whether their democracy should evolve to include more voices or remain guarded by traditional barriers.

As the campaign intensifies leading up to the ballot, both sides are ramping up efforts to sway public opinion. Proponents are focusing on stories from disenfranchised voters, while opponents are framing the initiative as an assault on Idaho's conservative identity. Regardless of the outcome, the proposal has already sparked vital conversations about democracy's future in the Gem State, potentially setting a precedent for other states grappling with similar issues. With over 500,000 signatures reportedly gathered—far exceeding the required threshold—the initiative's fate now rests in the hands of Idaho's electorate, who will weigh the promise of reform against the risks of change in November.

Read the Full Idaho Capital Sun Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ballot-initiative-proposed-eliminate-idaho-103054510.html ]

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Idaho Election Overhaul Proposed: Open Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting

Proposed Ballot Initiative Aims to Overhaul Idaho's Election System by Eliminating Closed Primaries and Introducing Ranked-Choice Voting