We have a problem in Idaho. Politicians are not accountable to voters — especially young Idaho voters. Instead, elected officials are more concerned with approval of political party bosses, political elites and special interest groups.
Young voters are often left off the campaign trail or altogether ignored as candidates rally for votes. But the future of Idaho is going to be created by us — Idaho’s young people — and it starts now with every vote we cast.
Through conversations with fellow students, we often hear that people aren’t registered to vote because they don’t see the point — it feels like decisions are made long before we ever get to the ballot box.
Taxpayers shouldn’t feel like that. Elected leaders should be accountable to their constituents. Potential candidates should care about our opinions and perspectives — both in Idaho and nationally.
So, let’s fix the issue — the system that incentivizes lawmakers to ignore us — directly at its source. That is closed primaries.