In Idaho, we value our freedom to choose our leaders and decide our own futures. When every voter casts a ballot in the primary election, we get candidates who are more representative of the people in the general election. This is why the upcoming Idaho Primary Election and Idaho Democratic Presidential Caucus on Tuesday, May 21, and Thursday, May 23, are crucial.
The Idaho primary election covers legislative and county offices as well as neighborhood precinct captains. Your ballot may also include school funding measures and judicial positions. If you haven’t already cast your ballot, your regular polling location will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on May 21 and can be found at voteidaho.gov. While the Idaho Democratic Party primary is open to all voters, the Idaho Republican Party, desiring to push party nominees to the far-right, limits voter participation to only those affiliated as Republicans.
Following the primary election, the Idaho Democratic Party Presidential Caucus will take place on Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. local time. Democrats and unaffiliated voters will come together at county caucus sites to vote for Idaho’s Democratic presidential nominee and elect delegates to the Idaho Democratic State Convention. Voters can find their caucus location at idahodems.org/findyourcaucus.
The Idaho Democratic Party wanted to combine our presidential nomination process with the state primary election, but GOP politicians refused to enact legislation making this possible. Forced to undertake a caucus, we worked to make it as accessible as possible. Caucus participants won’t have to listen to presentations, remain at the site for hours, or be locked out if they don’t arrive when voting starts. Voters will check in, cast their ballot, and go on their way. We made absentee ballots available to voters who needed this option due to military service, disability, illness, work, childcare obligations, school, transportation challenges, or other reasons.
Before we vote, thoroughly studying the candidates is more important than ever. Special interests are dumping millions of dollars in misleading and dishonest smear campaigns to prop up candidates with extreme agendas, including those who seek to divert public dollars to costly school voucher schemes. The Idaho Secretary of State is investigating over 60 campaign finance complaints, a sharp uptick from previous cycles. The ugly mud-slinging is directed largely at Republican candidates for the primary but will certainly target Democrats in November.
Elections are determined by the people who show up. This is our chance to stand up for what we believe in and hold leaders accountable. With the Idaho Democratic Party fielding candidates in every legislative district, the opportunity to effect positive change is within reach. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous future for all Idahoans.
Onward,
Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair