Official Statement on Idaho’s Open Primaries Initiative

Today the Idaho chapter of Mormon Women for Ethical Government joins the Idahoans for Open Primaries coalition in supporting representative government through free and open elections. This support is a manifestation of our commitment to peacemaking within our community and our determination to advocate for democratic processes wherein every voter can meaningfully participate.

In 2011, after nearly a century of open primaries, the Idaho legislature adopted a closed primary law requiring voters to register with a party in order to vote in the primary election — the election of most consequence in Idaho. This change stripped more than a quarter of a million independent voters of their ability to cast an impactful ballot. By functionally excluding a significant number of our citizens, this law has severely weakened democracy within our state.

Since the primaries closed, Idaho’s political landscape has become more extreme, more fragmented, and more unresponsive. There is a crisis of accountability with our elected officials. Even when there are important issues that enjoy broad consensus across party lines, the legislature feels little pressure to engage and instead focuses on matters that distract and divide us while consolidating power. Closed primaries have severely curtailed a crucial mechanism for voters to hold legislators accountable because they allow only a very small minority of voters to effectively determine the outcome of elections.

The Open Primaries ballot initiative is intended to restore Idaho’s open electoral system and return political power to the people. The initiative maximizes voter participation by creating a nonpartisan primary system where all voters, not just those registered to a party, may participate. The top four vote getters from the primary move on to the general election, which will consist of instant-runoff voting where all electors have the equal opportunity to pick their top candidate and then rank additional candidates in order of preference if they choose.

This method of casting and counting ballots seeks to unify rather than to divide us. It aims to produce better leaders with broad support who are incentivized to serve the will of the people and not just a small slice of primary voters. In doing so, it will help foster cooperation and alleviate toxic polarization.

Mormon women have a long and storied history when it comes to ensuring open and fair elections. Idaho women in particular were among the first in the nation to advocate for and gain the right to vote, nearly 25 years before women across the U.S. were granted that same right. As women inspired by faith, we can no longer sit by as partisan interests continue to consume Idaho’s electoral structures. We will work tirelessly to secure neutral and fair elections within our state. We believe this will help heal our divisions and ensure that all Idahoans enjoy a more responsive and effective state government.