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Washington Post,  December 21, 2023

Bruce Newcomb,  former Republican Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives and founder of Idahoans for Open Primaries

Chuck Coiner, former Idaho Republican State Senator

Leon Smith, former Idaho Republican State Representative

Jim Jones, former Idaho Republican Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice and founder of Veterans for Idaho Voters

Tom Begich, former Alaska Democratic State Senator

Luke Mayville, Co-Founder Reclaim Idaho

December 13, 2023

Panel discussion, December 12, 2023

Opinion article, December 8, 2023

Survey data on voter responses to choice voting systems across the U.S.  (Nov 16, 2023)

Source: Fairvote.org

Inactive ballots constitute a small percentage of all ballots in IRV elections. Not ranking certain candidates is an active choice and expresses a preference itself; some voters will be consciously indifferent between some candidates or do not want to cast a vote for someone they truly don’t like. 

This report shows that inactive ballots arise in nearly every election method, but IRV results in fewer ballots becoming inactive than single-choice voting

Source: Herbert Institute at Utah State University

Veterans Day Article #5:

Idaho’s constitutional framers also declined to grant power to political parties, even though they existed when our Constitution was drafted in 1889. The Idaho Constitution states that “all political power is inherent in the people” who have “the right to alter, reform or abolish” their government “whenever they may deem it necessary.” People could not exercise that awesome power if their right to vote was restricted by a party.

Veterans Day Article #4:

For veterans, supporting and defending the Constitution means supporting and defending the right to vote and the principle of “one person, one vote.” Replacing Idaho’s closed, taxpayer funded primaries with open, non-partisan primaries and top four, instant runoff general elections are how we bring competition back to our elections and ensure that every Idahoan’s voice is heard. 

Veterans Day Article #3:

Like nearly a third of Idaho voters, I don’t want to affiliate as an R or a D. I’m frustrated that the only way I get a real voice in our primaries is to register Republican, where most of our races are decided. Or be left to take a Democratic ticket. But at no time can I simply be an independent and vote for the person I want.

Veterans Day Article #2:

With its final four Instant Runoff general election, the Open Primaries Initiative will increase both voter access and candidate competition. Those opposing the OPI represent political interests threatened by competition and fearful of facing all their constituents. Access and competition are fundamental to good American government.

Veterans Day Article #1:

Today’s closed primaries break with Idaho tradition and are filled with complex eligibility rules that make it harder to vote how you want...

Under the OPI, the people, not the parties, choose the candidate

V4IV Opinion article

...military veterans are one of the largest blocks of independent voters in Idaho. However, Idaho’s closed primaries prevent independent veterans from fully participating in our elections. We served our country but can’t vote in primaries. That’s just plain wrong.

In 2022,  83% of the U.S. House was elected by just 8% of Americans. 

Source: Unite America

Comprehensive list of all primary election systems across US states.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures