OPINION: GOP rule change will disenfranchise potential young Republican voters

It has come to our attention that on Jan. 6-7, the Idaho Republican Party will be voting on two proposed rule changes that will have a significant impact on how younger voters are able to participate in Idaho politics.

It is proposed that affiliate organizations be removed from the Idaho Republican Party executive team and central committee.

It is proposed that a voter cannot participate in the Idaho primary process if not affiliated with the Idaho Republican party for the last 25 months.

Across the nation, Republicans continue to lose ground to Democrats by a 3:1 ratio with the younger generation. If we continue to play this out over the next 10 years, the forecast is bleak for Republicans if we do not reverse this trend.

Due to an effective ground game and indoctrination, most first-time voters register as Democrats or Independents. This puts Republicans at an immediate disadvantage. Thankfully, due to groups like the Young Republicans and College Republicans, Idaho has made strides in convincing these voters to switch to our party.

By placing a 25-month restriction for Republican affiliation, the current rule will effectively eliminate any success made on campuses, churches, and in our communities with students and young families. We are essentially telling our young voters they are not able to participate in our primaries for potentially up to four years. We agree that cross-over voting is a serious issue but there are commonsense amendments that can be made to stop blatant occurrences without impacting honest, new Republican voters.

In addition, by removing the voice of their organizations from the Idaho Republican Party leadership, we also take away any remaining opportunity for these groups to influence the party.

It takes effort to keep younger voters engaged. We can attest to that as five Young Republican legislators. While these rule changes may look good to some on the surface, we are certain they will have unintended consequences that will negatively impact Republican prospects for the future.

We strongly recommend the Idaho Republican Party State Central Committee vote down these proposed rule changes as-written or amend them to something that makes sense.

SEN. BEN ADAMS

R-Nampa

REP. JEFF EHLERS

R-Meridian

REP. KEVIN ANDRUS

R-Lava Hot Springs

REP. JAMES PETZKE

R-Meridian

REP. DUSTIN MANWARING

R-Pocatello