Residents of Crook County, Oregon, voted last week to pass a “Greater Idaho” measure, supporting the idea of starting negotiations to secede from the liberal state and join neighboring Idaho. This measure received 53 percent support, making Crook County the 13th county in Oregon to approve such a proposal.
“The voters of eastern Oregon have spoken loudly and clearly about their desire to see border talks move forward. With this latest result in Crook County, there’s no excuse left for the Legislature and Governor to continue to ignore the people’s wishes,” Greater Idaho Executive Director Matt McCaw stated. He urged state leaders to acknowledge these votes and begin discussions on the matter.
McCaw called on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President to sit down and discuss the next steps towards changing governance for eastern Oregonians. He also called for legislative hearings on what a potential border change would entail. The Greater Idaho movement aims to redraw the state borders to include 14 full eastern Oregon counties and three partial ones within Idaho. In 2023, the Idaho House even passed a memorial inviting the Oregon Legislature to begin border talks.
Supporters of the Greater Idaho movement believe that moving the border would benefit residents on both sides, providing better representation and governance for eastern Oregonians. Mike McCarter, president of the group, emphasized the importance of state leaders listening to the voters. “For the last three years we’ve been going directly to voters and asking them what they want for their state government. What they’re telling us through these votes is that they want their leaders to move the border. In our system, the people are the ones in charge, and it’s time for the leaders representing them to follow through,” he said.
According to the group’s website, the current border between Oregon and Idaho, established 163 years ago, is outdated and no longer reflects the cultural divide in Oregon. Moving the border would require approval from the state legislatures of both Oregon and Idaho, as well as from the U.S. Congress.
