On May 18, the Oregon counties of Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman will hold a special election to decide if they want to try to part ways with the Beaver State and join next-door Idaho.
Move Oregon’s Border, also known as Greater Idaho, confirmed that an initiative aiming to absorb most of Oregon’s land mass into Idaho received enough signatures to reach the special election ballot in the aforementioned counties, meaning voters will soon have the opportunity to make their voices heard.
In Baker County, population 16,000, organizers secured 630 signatures, which was enough to get the initiative on the ballot there. Similar signature numbers were achieved in the other counties.
Back in November, voters in two counties approved measures requiring county commissioners to hold meetings about relocating the state’s borders. The other two counties defeated the measure.
“Oregon is a powder keg because counties that belong in a ‘red’ state like Idaho are ruled by Portlanders,” complained Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon’s Border, in a statement. Read more…