Ada County clerk steps back from Idaho election duties — because he’s on the ballot
Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane says he has pulled back from his duties as the county’s chief elections officer for the past couple of months to avoid any appearance of conflict in the upcoming Republican primary.
That’s because he’s on the ballot for Idaho secretary of state.
“I actually stepped away from most of the election stuff back in March when things were getting started,” McGrane wrote in an email responding to a question from the Idaho Statesman about his role in the upcoming election. “I’ve wanted to avoid any perceived concerns. I won’t be at the Elections Office on Tuesday, either.”
One of the most closely watched statewide races in the Idaho primary is that for Idaho secretary of state, featuring a three-way competition among McGrane, state Sen. Mary Souza and state Rep. Dorothy Moon.
Unfortunately, election integrity has been cast in doubt by Moon and Souza, who each proposed legislation this year to severely restrict voting methods in Idaho. Moon even debated on the House floor with speculation that Canadians crossed the border to vote in Idaho elections.
Both Moon and Souza said they believe Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election.
Given the fact that they and their supporters continue to believe Trump’s “big lie” that the election was stolen, and conspiracy theories continue to lurk behind every corner, it got me to thinking about the conspiracies that would certainly swirl if McGrane were to win the Republican primary on Tuesday — he being the chief elections officer of the state’s most populous county, accounting for nearly a quarter of all registered Republicans in the state, at last count.
So I figured I should ask McGrane whether he’s doing anything to remove himself from the process.
“I’ve only been looped in if there are technical questions about something,” McGrane wrote.
McGrane said he’s been able to delegate a lot of his duties to his chief deputy, Trent Tripple, who is also running for office — to replace McGrane as the county clerk. Tripple is running unopposed, though, so there’s not as much of a concern about conflict.
McGrane said he’s been out to the county elections office on Benjamin Lane twice in the past two months, for the logic and accuracy testing they do ahead of the election.
Don’t worry, though: Elections are just part of the job of county clerk; McGrane is still keeping busy.
“As you know, the Clerk’s Office oversees many different things, including the budget process, which is underway,” McGrane wrote. “That’s given me plenty to tackle while Trent takes on the elections piece.”
I’m glad McGrane has taken a backseat role in running this election. It will be important to head off even a whiff of impropriety, given the players in this race and their proclivity for conspiracy.
If McGrane wins on Tuesday, I’d hate to see a “Stop the Steal” insurrection at the Ada County Courthouse.
