Closed elections are not good for anyone

On November 2, 1980, U.S. Democratic senator from Idaho Frank Church was defeated by Rep. Steve Symms in one of the closest elections in Idaho history.

Church was considered “the most accomplished federal legislator Idaho ever produced.” “The lies and distortions heaped on Church … much of it coming from a network of conservative ideologues determined to bend the Republican party in new and destructive ways, was a preview of the politics we live with today.” (Idaho Capital Sun, May 31, 2023.)

From 1995 to the present the Idaho governors have been Republicans and the state legislature is overwhelmingly Republican. Today the Idaho Senate of 35 consists of 28 Republicans and seven Democrats; the House of Representatives of 70 consists of 59 Republicans and 11 Democrats. In 2011, the “American Redoubt” movement pushed migrants into Idaho for a “political migration,” pushing North Idaho politics to the extreme right (The Spokesman-Review, May 15, 2016). By 2022, extremist Republicans had reshaped politics in Idaho (NPR politics podcast, April 11, 2022).

In 2011, the Idaho Legislature also passed a “closed” primary bill meaning those who were not registered as Republicans could not vote in the Republican primary election.

This meant that many who did not vote or couldn’t had no say in who would govern them. It also meant that those who don’t or were not allowed to vote still paid for those elections (Boise State Public Radio News, March 22, 2024).

In June 2024, at the Idaho GOP Convention Chairman Dorothy Moon said no reporters were allowed in committee meetings.

BETH ALLEN

Sandpoint