Bill to close GOP primary advances

BOISE (AP) - Conservative Republicans are a step closer to their dream of closing their GOP primaries to all but registered party members.

The House, then the Senate voted Wednesday to lock out crossover voters that some Republican stalwarts blame for skewing results of elections after Idaho opened its primaries back in 1972 to all voters.

The bill now goes to the governor.

A federal court ruling in March found Idaho's primary was unconstitutional.

House Speaker Lawerence Denney said the measure addressed the court's findings and was a good compromise.

Democratic Rep. Grant Burgoyne of Boise criticized the bill, saying taxpayers shouldn't have to pick up the nearly $400,000 cost for the new system.

House Minority Leader John Rusche of Lewiston called this a bill "to address internal squabbles within the Republican Party."