Idaho’s 1st Closed Primary Explained

Idaho’s first closed primary is approaching, which means voters need to declare a political party before actually voting May 15.

“That is a major change in Idaho politics,” said Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.

Ysursa said he isn?t quite sure what the outcome or turnout of the primary will be.

“I’m on a wait-and-see attitude on the aspect of having party registration for the first time in Idaho?s history,? Ysursa said. ?We’ll see how it plays out.”

In the wake of a lawsuit brought on by Idaho Republicans, political parties now have the right to restrict who votes on their primary ballot. Now, to vote as a Republican, voters need to be prepared to disclose it publicly.

?We always push participation, and we always know there’s going to be some kind of reluctance to have that as a public record,? Ysursa said.

Bonneville County Republican Party Chair Don Schanz said that’s a good thing.

“The closed primary would keep those out of the party that would be wanting to infiltrate and take over the party in a fashion that would make it more liberal,” Schanz said.

It doesn’t leave Idaho’s 11,168 registered Democrats with much to choose from. On the Bonneville County ballot, most positions don’t even have a Democrat running.

?I don’t think it leaves (Democrats) at any more of a disadvantage than they already are because of some of the numbers we have,? Ysursa explained. ?We’re obviously a very Republican state.?

While it’s perfectly legal to register as a Republican on the day of the primary and unaffiliate immediately thereafter, whether that will actually happen, Ysursa says, remains to be seen.

The Democratic primary is still open.

Bonneville County Democratic Party Chair Neil Williams did not return our emails.