College of Idaho to host public policy forum on open primaries, ranked choice voting

Caldwell's Gladys and William H. Langroise Center for the Performing and Fine Arts houses the College of Idaho's music and art departments. The two-story, 54,000 square-foot facility includes a 188-seat music recital hall, a digital design lab, a studio theater, faculty offices and studios, and student practice rooms. (Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

The College of Idaho is hosting a public policy forum later this month focused on open primaries and ranked choice voting – a topic that Idahoans will see on their ballots in the 2024 general election.

The college is “ committed to cultivating a democratic citizenry by providing a space for deliberation about today’s most important issues facing the State of Idaho,” according to a news release.

When : 6-8 p.m. Oct. 24
Where : Langroise Recital Hall at the College of Idaho in Caldwell

Proposition 1 is a ballot initiative, meaning it was created by Idaho citizens to place legislation on the ballot for a popular vote. The initiative would establish a nonpartisan top-four primary election that is open to all candidates and voters, no matter their party affiliation. It would also create a ranked-choice voting system in the general election. Through absentee ballots, thousands of Idahoans have already voted ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on this issue, and thousands more will do so by Nov. 5.

“The Open Primaries Initiative has earned the support from a wide spectrum of voters and political organizations,” the college’s news release said. “However, the proposed overhaul of elections has garnered its share of opponents who worry the ballot initiative would bring an end to partisan elections and cause too much confusion for voters.”

2024 Idaho election preview: Prop 1 would transform Idaho elections

Panelists at the event include constitutional law scholar and College of Idaho professor McKay Cunningham, former Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction and former chairman of Idaho Republican Party Tom Luna, and co-founder of Reclaim Idaho Luke Mayville.

The forum is open to the public, and it will include a reception with food and beverages at 7:15 p.m. To register for the event, visit the College of Idaho website .

Election Day is Nov. 5. The deadline to register to vote in Idaho ahead of the election is Friday, but voters in Idaho may register at the polls. The last day to request an absentee ballot in Idaho is Oct. 25. For more information on the general election, go to VoteIdaho.gov .

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