Idahoans for Open Primaries gathered on the Capitol steps recently as the group turned in 97,535 signatures from all 44 of Idaho’s counties to the Idaho Secretary of State. 
“Voters should not be forced to pick a party to participate in an election that they, the taxpayers, are paying for,” said Ashley Prince, Idahoans for Open Primaries Campaign Manager. “The Open Primaries Initiative will give Idahoans the freedom to vote in all elections, regardless of party affiliation. And it will help elect leaders focused on solving real problems—not distractions and controversies that turn us against each other.” 
More than 350 volunteers and supporters traveled from all areas of the state to attend. Event speaker and Idahoans for Open Primaries supporter Karole Honas traveled from Blackfoot to watch the milestone and build awareness about the initiative. 
“Idaho's closed primary system has disenfranchised thousands of voters, leading to growing dissatisfaction with the electoral process, our candidate options, and a lack of accountability from our elected officials,” said Karole Honas, Idahoans for Open Primaries supporter and event emcee. “But don’t just take my word for it, there are 97,000 other Idahoans who agree. We’ve seen support from voters across the state because this reaches beyond partisan politics and offers the chance to give Idaho voters better choices and more voice.” 
Sharing the validated signatures with the Secretary of State, Phil McGrane’s office, for final review is the last step among Idaho’s rigorous requirements to get a citizen-led initiative on the ballot. 
Idahoans for Open Primaries launched in August 2023 with a grassroots group of Idaho volunteers who wanted to end Idaho’s closed primary system. Under the current system, independent voters are blocked from participating in Idaho's critical elections unless they join a political party. 
To qualify a citizen-led initiative in Idaho, campaigns must collect valid signatures from six percent of all Idaho voters who were registered at the last general election (62,895) and capture signatures from six percent of all registered voters in 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts by May 1. Those signatures must be validated by county clerks and then submitted to the Secretary of State’s office to certify the initiative for the ballot. 
Idahoans for Open Primaries far exceeded state requirements to qualify for the ballot.
“Our goal from the beginning has been to end closed primaries in Idaho,” Prince said. “To see the journey of an idea all the way to a proposition on a ballot highlights the power our community has when we come together to give our state a better future.”