Low voter turnout leads to poor choices

After the Idaho Legislature’s last session and the recent elections here in North Idaho I’m reminded of the movie, "A Bridge Too Far". The GOP’s far right wing appears to have finally gone too far. The issuance of Janice McGeachin’s ill-conceived executive order coupled with the Bonner County Republican Central Committee's resolution to demand Senator Jim Woodward resignation seems to be the straws that broke the camel’s back.

Now the IFF, McGeachin, Priscilla Giddings, Heather Scott, and Sage Dixon seem to be getting some very unwelcome attention. To any interested observer to this slow-moving train wreck of bad actions the thought that comes to mind is, “Why did it take so long?”

Why were a small minority able to get away with so much for so long? I think that the fault lies with a combination of things. Primary among these things is the hubris of the GOP voters and the closed primary. Second is the apathy and lack of participation in our small ‘d’ democratic process.

We’ve known for years that low voter turnout in the primaries leads to poor choices in the general election. When less than 35% of registered voters determine who gets elected the majority losses! We all must vote if we want to be represented.

GIL BEYER

Sandpoint