Crook County becomes 13th county to approve Oregon-Idaho border relocation

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Just over half of Crook County voters in Tuesday's primary election showed support for a measure that aims to make Idaho their new home state.

As of Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m., preliminary data show the county had a voter turnout of 39.69% — and about 52.95% of those voters approved measure 07-86.

The measure backs “Greater Idaho,” a years-long effort to move state lines so Republican voters in Eastern Oregon can join Idaho, a state that hasn’t been led by a Democratic governor since the mid-’90s.

With nearly 25,000 residents, Crook County was the 13th county statewide to support the idea of shifting the border eastward.

"The voters of eastern Oregon have spoken loudly and clearly about their desire to see border talks move forward,” Greater Idaho Executive Director Matt McCaw said in a statement. “We call on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President to sit down with us and discuss next steps towards changing governance for eastern Oregonians, as well as for the legislature to begin holding hearings on what a potential border change will look like."

Idaho counties have yet to cast their votes for the measure, but in February 2023, the state’s House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow legislators from both states to formerly discuss a Greater Idaho.

Idaho Reps. Barbara Ehardt and Judy Boyle later joined Oregon Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson in Baker City for a meeting in which they said lawmakers should at least begin conversations on the movement.

Other Oregon officials seem less interested in the idea of losing roughly half the state.

In response to the Idaho House’s support of Greater Idaho talks, Rep. Earl Blumenauer said he “would entertain a trade for Boise and Sun Valley.”

Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Harney, Malheur, Baker, Grant, Wheeler, Jefferson, Wallowa, Union and Morrow counties have also approved Greater Idaho measures.