Idaho's Open Primary and Ranked Choice Voting Initiative
For nearly a year, volunteers seeking to change Idaho’s elections blanketed the state to gather signatures from citizens supportive of bringing an end to the closed primaries that have defined May ballot box contests for more than a decade. The petition also called for a move to a ranked-choice voting system for general elections.
In July, Idaho’s Secretary of State confirmed that a coalition of groups committed to the effort had met the signature threshold for ballot initiatives and qualified to put the question to voters in the General Election this fall. The Open Primaries Initiative has earned the support from a wide spectrum of voters and political organizations.
However, the proposed overhaul of elections has garnered its share of opponents who worry the ballot initiative would bring an end to partisan elections and cause too much confusion for voters.
The City Club of Boise is excited to host a conversation about the Open Primaries Initiative featuring a panel of experts who will discuss the pros, cons, and potential outcomes and consequences for future elections, politics, and policy.
Panelists include:
Tom Luna, Partner at Strategos Group & Former Superintendent of Education
Hyrum Erickson, Attorney at Rigby Andrus & Rigby
Jaclyn Kettler, Associate Professor of Political Science & Director, NEW Leadership Idaho, Boise State University
The panel will be moderated by: McKay Cunningham, Graduate Professor and Director of Gradute Programs, College of Idaho
Thank you to our Forum Sponsor, Conservation Voters for Idaho!
Where: The Grove Hotel
When: Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 from 11:45 - 1:00PM
Tickets:
$15 Members registration (includes water, coffee, and/or canned beverages as available at venue)
$25 Non-Members registration (includes water, coffee, and/or canned beverages as available at venue)
City Club thanks our Annual Sponsors University of Idaho, Boise State University School of Public Service, City of Boise, and the 2024 Forum Series sponsors: AARP of Idaho, Idaho Education Association, SelectHealth, Small Mine Development, and St. Luke's. Our media partners are Boise State Public Radio and Idaho Public Television. The Osher Lifetime Learning Institute is our Community Partner. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
If you have any questions, call 208-364-4614 and staff can assist you.