Voters in these Oregon counties weigh in on ‘Greater Idaho’ state idea
Editor’s note: This column has been updated to reflect final vote tallies and reaction from one of the organizers.
Over in Oregon, four counties — Union, Douglas, Wallowa and Jefferson — had measures on the ballot asking voters their opinion on moving state boundaries to create a “Greater Idaho” state.
Voters in Jefferson and Union counties expressed support, while voters in Douglas and Wallowa voiced opposition to the idea.
In Douglas County, voters were given an advisory vote on whether county commissioners, state representatives and senators should work toward moving the Idaho border to include Douglas County.
In all, 28,090 voters, or 57%, voted “no” in Douglas County.
In Wallowa County, the measure, if passed, would have required the county commissioners to meet three times a year to discuss the possibility of moving state boundaries to be included in Idaho. Voters in Wallowa County shot it down barely, with 50.5% of the vote.
Meanwhile, commissioners in Jefferson and Union counties will have to meet, as voters in both of those counties voted 51% and 52%, respectively, in favor of the measure in their counties.
The “Greater Idaho” project would allow some counties in Oregon to join Idaho, which proponents say lines up better with their conservative political values. If the project were to go through, all but 14 of Oregon’s 36 counties would be part of Idaho, according to organizers.
“I think the wins in Union and Jefferson counties justify some effort on the part of the government of Idaho to quantify the pros and cons of moving the border so that we can improve the quality of the debate on this issue,” Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border said in a press release Wednesday. “Rural Oregon counties would have have a higher income per person than Idaho does, so our counties would be a benefit to Idaho’s state budget. Yet rural Oregon has a lower income per person than Oregon, so it is a drain on Oregon’s budget. Another benefit for the Oregon Legislature would be that they could get things done and maintain their quorum and their super-majority. Rural Oregon votes almost exactly the same as Idaho does, so there should be no concerns in Idaho.”
This story was originally published November 4, 2020 at 12:47 AM.
