MY TURN: Why primary initiative is right for Idaho

In response to Ms. Milacek’s letter to the editor about the state's primary election initiative, certain facts should be brought to voters' attention. 

Ms. Milacek said "Candidates can change their party affiliation to dupe voters, then change it back for the general election if they win the primary." 

In an open primary, all registered voters are allowed to vote. What party you are registered with will have no bearing. 

In fact, between Jan. 1, 2020, and April 1, 2024, over 10,457 registered voters changed their party affiliation back and forth in Kootenai County alone at the Elections Office. 

Who pays for that? You, the taxpayer!

The next part of her letter offered no facts to support her claims. 

• Ballots cannot be counted by hand, making this process ripe for fraud. 

Fact: Paper ballots are used and saved.  

• Computers and programs are not cheap and must be purchased, and you can bet the taxpayer would be paying for it.  

Fact: Computers are already being used. 

• Software programming for RCV includes algorithms. Election results can ultimately be decided by those that write the programs. 

Fact: Software already exists and is in use across many states and municipalities. 

• Ultimately, our general election ballot could have just one party represented.

Fact: The top four candidates in the primary election advance to the general election regardless of political affiliation.

• The ballot itself would look much different than what we’re accustomed to, creating confusion and possibly resulting in low voter turnout 

Fact: Idaho has over 275,000 voters who are not allowed to vote in Republican primaries. Seems to me that the voter turnout would be higher.

Ultimately, our general election ballot could have just one party represented. Open primaries would replace traditional primaries with all parties on the same ballot.

Idaho was an open primary state from 1972 until 2011, when the Republican-held Legislature changed and allowed only Democrats and Republicans to vote in primary elections. In fact, since 2011, Republicans have consistently introduced at least 10 bills each year limiting or restricting Idaho voters' right to vote.

If you want to have open primaries so every registered voter in Idaho has a voice, get involved and research the facts. Don't settle for the fear-mongering; become an informed voter.

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Tom Sanner is a lifelong Idahoan.