Idahoans for Open Primaries

Idahoans for Open Primaries is a nonpartisan citizens' advocacy organization working to reform Idaho's closed primary election system, which requires voters to register as Republicans — or switch their registration to Republican — to participate in what is effectively the decisive election in most Idaho legislative and statewide races. The group advocates for adopting an open or nonpartisan primary in which all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in a single primary from which the top candidates advance to the general election. Idaho has approximately 300,000 unaffiliated or independent registered voters who are effectively excluded from meaningful participation in most state and local elections under the current system. The group has pursued both ballot initiative campaigns and legislative advocacy to expand primary participation, working alongside good-government and nonpartisan civic organizations. In 2024, Idahoans for Open Primaries sponsored Proposition 1, Idaho's ranked-choice voting and open primary initiative, which received approximately 30% of the vote — underscoring both the enthusiasm among the state's independent voter community and the organizing work that remains ahead for election reform advocates.