A Resolution Regarding the Date of the Presidential Primary

WHEREAS, currently the Idaho Presidential Primary is held in March; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary of State has asked the legislature to consider moving the Presidential Primary to the regular primary election in May; and

WHEREAS, Idaho courts have determined that the political parties have the authority to set the parameters of their respective primaries; and

WHEREAS, there are reasons for and against moving the Presidential Primary; and

WHEREAS, reasons for moving the date of the primary include: a reduction in cost to the taxpayer, increasing voter turnout for the primary, consolidating electioneering efforts, reducing the incentive to crossover vote, and others; and

WHEREAS, reasons for not moving the date of the primary include: maintaining Idaho’s early Presidential Primary status, those that chose to only vote in the Presidential Primary may not be well informed about other primary races, reducing voter confusion resulting from changing the date, and others.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, after considering and debating this matter have determined that they oppose moving the Presidential Primary to May; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman shall convey this resolution to our State Party Chairman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary shall appropriately reword the first Resolved and delete the second and third Resolved and submit the result to the IDGOP for consideration by the Resolutions Committee at the upcoming Summer Meeting.

Vote: Aye 35 Nay 6 Adopted 2/28/2023