Want to vote as Republican? Register as one

Maybe I’m confused, but I remember from civics class that the primary election was where political party members voted for a candidate to represent their party in the general election. When one makes the choice to join a political party, then one agrees to rules of that party for their primary. When one registers as independent or unaffiliated, then one makes that choice to accept the limitations of that decision. If one really wants to vote in the Republican primary election, there already exists a simple remedy: register as a Republican.

While we’re at it, maybe someone can explain why Prop 1 advances the top four candidates from the primary to the general election. Why not the top five, like with Nevada’s measure, or only the top two like California? In fact, if the solution is ranked choice voting, then why are we having a primary election at all? Whether there are four or twenty candidates, can’t we just use rank choice voting in one election and be done with primaries altogether?

I have to wonder why the big push to redefine the election process in Idaho, and why the demographically challenged political party without exception thinks it’s a great idea. I guess that like a six-year-old changing "base" in the middle of a game of tag, it’s easier to win by modifying the rules than by playing the game. After all, running and supporting more mainstream candidates that reflect the majority’s values can be hard.

JIM BALDREE

Sagle