Tuesday marked another victory for the American spirit when Wallowa County turned into the 12th county in Oregon to favorably join the “Greater Idaho” initiative.
The special electio results, which echoed the voice of the county’s people, validated the sentiments that have been brewing over the past couple of years.
The election, which took place in May, initially saw the Greater Idaho movement leading by a threadbare margin of just 21 votes. However, as the days passed and the dust settled, the lead was reduced to a mere seven votes, just about escaping the need for a state-mandated recount.
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When reflecting on the neck-to-neck results of the Wallowa County vote, County Clerk Sandy Lathrop said, “That’s what you call the skin of your teeth.”
In Oregon, a recount is mandated if the margin of victory does not exceed one-fifth of 1% of the total votes. The number of votes for the ‘Greater Idaho’ measure in Wallowa County was 3,497, setting a recount threshold at a slender 6.99 votes. As the margin stood at seven votes, it narrowly escaped a recount. Such a tight result demonstrates the deep divisions within the community.
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Originating in 2020, the “Greater Idaho” campaign was born out of a growing aspiration among the residents of rural eastern Oregon. They yearned to secede from the progressive western part of the state, in search of more closely aligned conservative principles, values and governance that they found in their neighbor, Idaho.
With Wallowa County’s leap, an undeterred success streak has been maintained. All the 12 counties that have held an election concerning the “Greater Idaho” proposition have voted in favor of contemplating the shift.
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Happening Now:
So far 12 Oregon counties have voted to secede from liberal western Oregon and instead become a part of Idaho. The measure would require the states legislature to approve it and an act of Congress, which doesn’t appear likely. Liberals, who hold the majority… pic.twitter.com/H7URbicrl4
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) June 8, 2023
A split in opinion has surfaced in the Idaho legislature over a proposal to formally discuss redrawing the border between the two states. Not surprisingly, Democrats have shown resistance to the idea, while Republicans champion it. It’s a telling sign of how entrenched political ideologies can often silence the voice of the people.
The Democratic Idaho Senate Minority Leader, Melissa Wintrow, shared with Fox News Digital back in March, “I’m very pleased this measure has virtually no chance of advancing into reality. It would be bad for all involved and bad for the country, and I am opposed to it at all levels.”
On the other hand, Republican state Rep. Judy Boyle openly supports the Greater Idaho initiative, stating, “Yes, I am supportive of the Greater Idaho idea. I have lived along the Oregon border my entire life, so have many east Oregon friends. They have been quite frustrated with the liberal I-5 western Oregon corridor running their state and completely ignoring their values and needs.”
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“They have finally come down to asking the voters, county by county, if they want to join Idaho,” she continued. “Currently, 11 counties have said YES [sic]!”
The successful implementation of the “Greater Idaho” movement would raise Idaho’s population by a significant 21%. A Claremont Institute analysis found that this shift could deliver an annual net benefit of $170 million to the state’s government.
Democrat opposition to the transition of eastern Oregon to Idaho just reinforces the legitimate concerns of these rural communities. The fact that Idaho state democrats are willing to ignore such financially lucrative opportunities shows their commitment to woke ideology over the will of the people.
As the process moves forward, it’s important to remember that altering the Idaho-Oregon border would require a consensus from both state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.
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With the conclusion of the Wallowa County vote, Crook County Court has also voted to present the Greater Idaho proposal to its residents in the May 2024 ballot. However, Umatilla County and Gilliam County are the only two counties from the original list of 15 that haven’t initiated the process yet.
The Crook County Court voted today to put Greater Idaho on the May 2024 ballot in Crook County. https://t.co/zHQuxXqJ1y pic.twitter.com/1GbDeWcT2p
— the Greater Idaho movement (@GreaterIdaho) June 7, 2023
It’s clear that these outcomes symbolize a potent cry for change, for the respect of rural values, and for a government more attuned to their needs and way of life. In our nation built on the principles of liberty, representation, and self-governance, the voice of every American should be heard and valued.
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