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I split from the Democratic Party and declared my independence years ago. Its propensity to put party over people hasn’t created a space for those of us who don’t perfectly align with their agenda....
In a dozen states and the District of Columbia, registered voters who don’t belong to a political party are denied the right to vote in any primary elections. Most states limit participation in at least some primaries. This is not what civil rights leaders fought and died for in achieving passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Those trailblazers marched, bled and died for my right to vote....
I’ve been told, “you have a choice, register as a Democrat.” That’s not a choice, that’s a directive. And it’s not very democratic; in fact, it feels downright autocratic....
Lisa Rice, member Veterans for All Voters, Washington, DC, February 23, 2024
Veterans dedicated themselves to being the vigilant, highly skilled, watchdogs over American freedom. I share the pride that other veterans feel for the privilege to lead a purposeful life and continue to be dedicated to our country.
Idaho’s closed primary system blocks 270,000 independent voters from voting in the most important elections. Veterans who shed blood, endured incredible loss, and dedicated their lives to our country, are determined to protect every Idahoan’s right to vote
Christie Wood, February 9, 2024
Chairwoman Moon’s public statements about enhancing voter participation seem contradictory when juxtaposed with the practical implications of a caucus. Deployed military personnel, already enduring significant challenges, are now faced with the additional burden of participating in an on-site caucus, a process that demands considerable time and effort. It is ironic that a change allegedly aimed at promoting civic engagement within the Republican party is, in fact, suppressing the voices of those who have dedicated their lives to upholding our own right to vote and express our opinions.
Military members, both past and present, sacrifice time with their families, endure hardships and sometimes pay the ultimate price to secure these fundamental rights for all Americans. To deny them the opportunity to participate in any part of the election process, especially something as critical as the majority party’s primary, is a betrayal of their service and sacrifices.
Marv Hagedorn, February 9, 2024
The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County will present a panel discussion on what open primaries and ranked-choice voting would mean for Idaho. The event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Coeur d’Alene Library.
The League of Women Voters has organized the event to inform, not to persuade. It’s not a debate; it’s an attempt for the public to be able to hear from knowledgeable people about how open primaries and ranked-choice voting actually work, and what that would mean specifically for Idaho.
Editorial Board, Coeur d'Alene Press, February 4th, 2024
As a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I feel that I have more than earned the right to vote. But I am an Independent and, as a result, denied the right to vote in Idaho’s closed primary elections.
John French, January 31, 2024
Corey Jones, Heyleigh Colombo, Public Service Journalism Team
January 25, 2024
December 27, 2023
Eric Tegethoff, Public News Service, December 26, 2023
In the 2022 Idaho primary, over 300,000 unaffiliated independents, representing 30% of registered voters, were blocked from closed primaries and forced to sit on the sidelines. Furthermore, 96% of those races were decided by less than the number of sidelined independents.
Todd Achilles (Boise) Army veteran, Hannah Ball (Garden City) Army veteran; Paul Cunningham (Boise) Navy veteran; Marv Hagedorn (Eagle) Navy veteran, James Ruchti (Pocatello) Army veteran; Kevin Trainor (Twin Falls) Marine Corps veteran; Christie Wood (Coeur d’Alene) Air Force veteran
December 15, 2023
Thanks to Barry Johnson of the Veterans for Idaho Voters for his presentation on the Open Primaries Initiative last week at the Viola Community Center. The Open Primaries Initiative would end closed primary elections and give all voters, including independent voters who do not belong to a party, the right to vote in all Idaho elections.
December 13, 2023
Both Eagle and Mountain Home mayoral races give us a glimpse into Idaho elections under the Open Primaries Initiative: more candidate competition and candidates working harder to earn the majority’s trust. Unlike city runoff elections, however, the Open Primaries Initiative will ensure we receive the results without delay, give candidates a fair shot, and save taxpayers money.
Written by: Todd Achilles (Boise) Army veteran, Thom Bruce (Boise) Marine Corps veteran, John French (Ketchum) Marine Corps veteran, Barry Johnson (Moscow) Army veteran, Dave Looney (McCall) Air Force veteran, James Ruchti (Pocatello) Army veteran, Kevin Trainor (Twin Falls) Marine Corps veteran, Christie Wood (Coeur d’Alene) Air Force veteran, Randy Worrall (Ashton) Air Force veteran.
December 8, 2023
In our view, the pros for a primary system that welcomes the state’s 270,000 independent voters far outweigh any negatives. Voter participation will increase and radical, unqualified candidates will face a far harder time rising to power.
Editorial Board, Coeur d'Alene Press, December 3, 2023
Today’s closed primaries break with Idaho tradition and are filled with complex eligibility rules that make it harder to vote how you want. If you are registered with one party but want to vote on another, closed, party ballot, then you need to change your registration more than 10 weeks before the primary. An unaffiliated Independent voter can select a closed ballot by declaring a party affiliation on election day; however, this defeats the very idea of being Independent.
Todd Achilles, Paul Cunningham, Marv Hagedorn, Scott Syme, Kevin Trainor, Bonner County Daily Bee, November 30, 2023
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.
Thom Bruce, John Freeland, Stan Hall, Dave Looney, George Moses, Randy Worrall, Twin Falls Times-News, November 27, 2023
Behind [the Open Primaries Initiative] is a simple, fundamental philosophy: Everyone can vote in the primary whether they’re Republican, Democrat, independent or a member of a third party. And whatever party they choose to support at the polls is a matter of personal privacy. Nobody knows.
There is no middle ground.
Moon won’t stop unless the people stop her. They can either submit or fight back
November 24, 2023
Moon claims to defend “one person, one vote” while simultaneously making it harder for folks to access the ballot. Idahoans see through this smokescreen.
Todd Achilles, Hannah Ball, Paul Cunningham, Marv Hagedorn, James Ruchti, Kevin Trainor, Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene Press, Nov 24, 2023
The IFF has come out strong against the Open Primaries Initiative, so the threesome [Lenney, Herndon, Zuiderveld] must also oppose it. Zuiderveld kind of misfired on the issue, claiming on social media that the initiative’s sponsor, Reclaim Idaho, is a “communist PAC.” Her tweet had a screenshot of contributors to Reclaim Idaho, including Rich Stivers, a well-regarded Twin Falls Republican whose father served as House GOP Speaker back in the 1980s. She implied that Rich, a Vietnam veteran who put his life at risk fighting the communists, was a commie supporter? Ignorance must be blissful.
Jim Jones, Twin Falls Times-News, Nov 22, 2023
Closed primaries, mandated by Republicans in 2011, have one intended purpose only: Give the party more control over candidates they want to win in primary elections.
Truly open primaries, that allow every voter to choose a candidate regardless of party, also have one intended purpose only: Give that control back to voters where it belongs.
Barry Johnson, COL U.S. Army (Ret.), Coeur d'Alene Press, Nov 17, 2023
We took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. That includes advocating for open and fair elections, leaders of the organization write in this guest column.
Todd Achilles, Stan Hall, George Moses, Rich Stivers and Randy Worrall, Idaho Capital Sun, Nov 10, 2023
Under the Open Primaries Initiative, the people, not the parties, choose the candidate.
Todd Achilles, Paul Cunningham, Marv Hagedorn, Scott Syme, Kevin Trainor, Idaho Statesman, Nov 8, 2023
A dozen Utah cities use ranked choice voting in municipal elections. County clerks say it is better, faster, and cheaper. Eighty-six percent of Utah voters were satisfied with their voting experience.
Six U.S. states — Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina — use ranked choice voting for military ballots. If we can trust ranked choice voting for active duty soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and guardians, then we can trust it here.
Todd Achilles, Stan Hall, George Moses, Rich Stivers, Randy Worrall, Twin Falls Times News, Nov 7, 2023
Today’s closed primaries break with Idaho tradition and are filled with complex eligibility rules that make it harder to vote how you want.
Primary votes cast declined by 8% between 2010 and 2012. Looking back over 22 primary cycles since 1980, the three worst years for turnout were 2012, 2014 and 2016. In 1980, 31% of Idaho’s voting-age population cast a primary vote, but less than 15% voted in 2016.
Todd Achilles, Paul Cunningham, Marv Hagedorn, Scott Syme, Kevin Trainor, Idaho Statesman, Nov 3, 2023
Retired Coeur d’Alene police officer, former North Idaho College board member and incumbent City Councilwoman Christie Wood is preparing to defend her council seat against a far-right political newcomer in Tuesday’s election.
“I’m just really invested in my community,” Wood said. “I just love being a part of the decision-making in my community. I want to contribute.”
Nina Culver, Spokesman-Review, Nov 3, 2023
If the Open Primaries Initiative would get RINOs out of the party, why is the current state leadership opposing it?
Some in leadership are less focused on the long-term health of the party and state, and more focused on the short-term goal of getting candidates that agree with them elected. That is easier with a closed Republican primary, even with some RINOs participating. It is more difficult for party leaders to get their candidates elected if every Idahoan can vote. They don’t want to give up that advantage, even if it harms the state and our party.
Randy Sutton, Eric Erickson, Hyrum Erickson, Madison County Republican Central Committee, Rexburg Standard Journal, Nov 3, 2023
The Open Primaries Initiative provides more power for more voters to participate in the elections that their taxes pay for.
Todd Achilles, Marv Hagedorn, Barry Johnson, Jim Jones, Rich Stivers, Scott Syme, Christie Wood, Clearwater Progress, Oct 19, 2023
Between the authoritarian bent of Moon’s party leadership and the misconduct of IFF-controlled legislators, voters will be presented with a stark choice at the general election next year — either live with the current system where Moon and her cronies will eventually control who gets elected to office, or vote for the Open Primaries Initiative so that the voters can decide for themselves who will hold important public offices.
Jim Jones, Oct 11, 2023
“I’ve talked to Republicans and I’ve talked to independents and I’ve talked to Democrats,” Stark said. “There is a hunger out there for change. People are not satisfied with the status quo..."
Clark Corbin, Oct 11, 2023
The Open Primaries Initiative gives Idahoans the unique opportunity to change our elections toward a more people-focused system. I encourage all Idahoans to sign the petition to put the Initiative on the ballot for the people's consideration.
Sean Coletti, Mayor of Ammon, Idaho Statesman, Oct 11, 2023
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 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.
Oct 7, 2023
The Idaho Supreme Court has ordered Attorney General Raul Labrador and Secretary of State Phil McGrane to pay Idahoans for Open Primaries nearly $80,000 in attorney fees after it ruled against Labrador over the initiative's proposed ballot titles.
The Court ruled that Labrador acted "without a reasonable basis in law in this matter"
Laura Guido, Idaho Press, Oct 6, 2023
With such widespread and long-standing public discontent with federal governance, it is little wonder that systemic election reforms are being discussed and advanced across the country. Supporters of these various reforms claim they will shake up the system and deliver better candidates and better governance.
Kevin R. Kosar, AEI, Oct 3, 2023
It [Open Primaries Initiative] would allow voters to choose the elected officials, not the other way around. If some party leaders disapprove of that, pause a moment to consider why.
Randy Stapilus, Times-News, Oct 2, 2023
“I want to be a voice and I want to really work to bring ideas and solutions to Garden City at large...
Ball spent much of her childhood in Garden City and returned there after spending 10 years in the military.
Gretchen Parsons, BoiseDev, Sep 28, 2023
...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.
Todd Achilles, Marv Hagedorn, Barry Johnson, Jim Jones, Rich Stivers, Scott Syme, Christie Wood, Post Register, Sept 22, 2023
Government works best when there is vigorous competition among candidates and broad citizen participation. Closed primaries are not the Idaho Way.
Todd Achilles, Marv Hagedorn, Barry Johnson, Jim Jones, Rich Stivers, Scott Syme, Christie Wood, Idaho Capital Sun, Sept 21, 2023
The Open Primaries Initiative provides more power for more voters to participate in the elections that their taxes pay for.
Todd Achilles, Marv Hagedorn, Barry Johnson, Jim Jones, Rich Stivers, Scott Syme, Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene Press, Sept 20, 2023
...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.
Todd Achilles, Marv Hagedorn, Barry Johnson, Jim Jones, Rich Stivers, Scott Syme, Christie Wood, Times-News, Sept 19, 2023
In the 2022 primary, only 32.4% of Idaho's voters turned out to vote. When it takes only about a third of the Republican party primary voters to guarantee a win for a candidate in the general election, it's clear that the votes of others do not count as much as that one-third of the Republican Party.
Tom Arkoosh, Idaho Statesman, Sept 19, 2023
Those in power are terrified that a true majority of Idaho voters will adopt a system more likely to ensure that the best prospective leaders - not hand-picked political pawns - advance to general election.
The Press strongly encourages citizens to join former Gov. Butch Otter and many other Republicans and sign an Open Primaries Initiative petition. Doing so will empower voters to decide if our current primary and general election systems adequately represent the will of the people.
Editorial, Coeur d'Alene / Post Falls Press, Sept 17, 2023
Which would you prefer?
A state leadership focused on your concerns - education, jobs and growth? Or one that gets bogged down fighting over school vouchers, critical race theory and undermining public health initiatives?
Finally, the grownups within Idaho's dominant political party have joined the fight...
Editorial, Lewiston Tribune, Sept 15, 2023
Don Jordan, Sept 14, 2023
But we do recommend that you sign the petition to get it on the ballot. That way, Idaho voters can decide themselves whether it's a good idea or not.
Editorial, Idaho Statesman, Sept 14, 2023
Laura Guido, Lewiston Tribune, Sept 14, 2023
Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports, Sept 13, 2023
Ryan Suppe, Idaho Statesman, Sept 13, 2023
Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun, Sept 13, 2023
V4IV names former Gov. Otter as Honarary Chairman
"Veterans served their country to preserve and extend the blessings of liberty to all Americans, not to set the stage for party bosses of either party to rig the game. All veterans should have the right to vote in any election in this state, whether primary, general or whatever else. The Open Primaries Initiative will ensure they have that important right," said Iraq War veteran, former State Legislator and V4IV co-founder Scott Syme
If Idaho is to tame extremism, citizens must break its hold by carrying or signing the petition to put the initiative in front of voters. It’s a chance for Idaho to return to its moderate self.
Editorial, Idaho Mountain Express, Sept 1, 2023
If Idaho is to tame extremism, citizens must break its hold by carrying or signing the petition to put the initiative in front of voters. It’s a chance for Idaho to return to its moderate self.
Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun, Aug 17, 2023
Court agreed in an unanimous opinion that Labrador's terminology isn't commonly used and may cause prejudice against the initiative.
Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun, Aug 11, 2023
[The] main problem [with partisan primaries] is that this process tends to select candidates who are not representative of the average voters. This is unsurprising - only 20-25 percent of voters participate in the primaries, and they tend to be further to the left and right than John Q and Jane Q Public.
Kevin R. Kosar, The Hill, July 11, 2023
James Dawson, Boise State Public Radio, May 2, 2023
"If we're honest with ourselves, we must conclude that we are now in the very situation the Framers worked so hard to avoid. We need to look at how we got here, and experiment with other ideas that might help move us forward."
Barry Fagin, Independence Institute May 2021
Jan. 6′s insurrection was littered with military veterans. Reports state that 20 percent of those who stormed the Capitol had military ties. While Congress was counting electoral votes — a solemn obligation specifically required by the Constitution — veterans assaulted the Constitution itself by storming the Capitol to undermine that solemn duty.
Chris Dalton, Military Times, February 10, 2021
“We’d like to see people have more choice in candidates,” said volunteer Leta Jessick, who helped gather signatures outside the library Saturday. “We’d like to see primaries opened up where the people get to pick the candidates, rather than the party picking a narrow selection.”
December 10, 2023
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