PROP 1: Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize party elections

Opponents of Prop. 1 claim it will create a “jungle” primary. Sorry, folks…but we have a jungle primary system now. Both the Democratic and Republican Party(s) have been fielding upward of 20-candidates, each, in the Presidential Preference Primary(s) for the last few election cycles. The Presidential Preference Primary, in Idaho, will most likely be back on the ballot in 2028.

Taxpayers in Idaho, and elsewhere, should not be responsible for the selection of political party nominees. Formerly, this function took place at the party’s state and national convention, respectively.

The closed primary system, created by top party bosses and special interests, has created this jungle. They pack the ballot, to confuse the voters, and then pour billions of dollars into the coffers of the few they want to see getting elected.

This mess is how we got a con man for president and now have a bus driver running for the state senate. The latter example, here, is the means they will stoop to when their preferred candidate (Scott Herndon) lost in the primary. They plugged in a proxy (Dan Rose) to run as an Independent. Talk about rigged! The very people, who told you they are fiscally conservative, are now the ones who are ripping you off.

Vote “Yes” on Prop. 1 to stop taxpayers from having to subsidize the process of what political party conventions used to do. We, the taxpaying voters, should have full ballot access to all candidates running in the primary(s) and make our selections accordingly. 

GERALD B. HIGGS

Bonners Ferry