The political divide in America has never been wider, and the result is increased civil and governmental strife. Some residents are finding it difficult to live around those who differ from them so greatly.
A few states have even talked about secession; specifically, parts or counties of states that want no part of their local government.
And now, a significant chunk of one blue state is a step closer to saying “goodbye forever.”
The “Greater Idaho” movement began back in 2020: it’s a push to allow large portions of rural eastern Oregon to secede and join the vastly more conservative Idaho.
Initially, the idea was met with plenty of skepticism, as most didn’t believe it really had a chance. However, multiple counties have signed on to explore the possibility, and that movement keeps growing.
This week, the 12th Oregon county voted to consider the idea (from Fox News):
Wallowa County became the 12th Oregon county to join the ‘Greater Idaho’ movement when special election results on the measure were finalized Tuesday.
With Wallowa County’s vote, 12 out of 12 counties that have held an election on a ‘Greater Idaho’ measure of any kind have voted in favor of exploring the move.
Formal talks between the two state legislatures have been impeded by Democrats, unsurprisingly.
Idaho Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow said “the measure has virtually no chance of advancing into reality” and she’s “opposed to it at all levels.”
And while it’s probably true that the secession plan is a longshot, many Republican lawmakers in both states remain fully supportive of the “Greater Idaho” movement, and intend to see it through.
Rep. Judy Boyle (R-OR) stated:
Yes, I am supportive of the Greater Idaho idea. I have lived along the Oregon border my entire life, so have many east Oregon friends.
They have been quite frustrated with the liberal I-5 western Oregon corridor running their state and completely ignoring their values and needs.
They have finally come down to asking the voters, county by county, if they want to join Idaho. Currently, 11 counties have said YES [sic]!
It’s a massive move, to be sure, and if it’s successful Idaho’s population would immediately surge by 21 percent. It would also mean as much as $170 million extra for the state’s government.
However, both state legislatures and Congress would have to approve an actual border shift.
Even so, it’s possible that we could reach the point where it would come to a historic vote. So far, there are only 2 Oregon counties left – of the original 15 – that haven’t set up a vote on the issue.
Democrats in Idaho and Oregon can’t believe it’s going this far, but they also seem to be stunningly out-of-touch with the values of the opposition, and apparently show no interest in listening to any of them.
That being the case, nobody should be surprised if other states start making similar moves down the road.
Key Takeaways:
- Another Oregon county joined the “Greater Idaho” movement to secede from the Democrat-dominated Oregon.
- They’re closing in on a historic vote; if successful, Idaho’s population would rise 21%.
- Democrats in both states say the measure has “virtually no chance” but Republicans keep pushing it, and all 15 counties on the list may vote to explore the option.
