In eastern and central Oregon, there’s a growing movement that is pushing for a change in state borders, wanting to secede from Oregon and join Idaho. The Greater Idaho Movement, as it’s known, has found a unique way to get its message across to Oregon lawmakers.
They’ve put up billboards in the Salem area just as Oregon’s legislative session is beginning. These billboards carry clear and bold messages, asking for the state line to be moved. The messages include: “Respect Rural Voices – Free Eastern Oregon,” “Respect Rural Voices – Release Eastern Oregon,” “The People Have Spoken – Let Eastern Oregon Go,” and “It’s Our Choice. We Choose Idaho.”
This movement is fueled by frustration with the way the state is governed. Eastern Oregon, which tends to be more conservative, feels ignored by the more liberal, Democratic-controlled Oregon Legislature. The Greater Idaho Movement hopes to change that by moving the state border so that the conservative eastern counties can join Idaho, a state that aligns more with their values.
Mike McCarter, the president of the Greater Idaho Movement, has said that Oregon lawmakers have no excuse not to address the issue now that bills are being introduced in both the House and Senate. One of these bills invites the Idaho Legislature to begin talks with Oregon on the possibility of moving the state line
The other bill would create a committee to assess whether it’s a good idea to relocate the border. McCarter believes that eastern Oregon leaders are ready to take action, and they want their voices to be heard by lawmakers in Western Oregon.
In 2023, the Idaho House passed a memorial supporting talks about the border, but it didn’t get to the Senate floor. While this is progress, there’s still a long way to go before the border can be changed. The Oregon Legislature would need to approve the idea, and so would the Idaho Legislature. Plus, for such a significant change to happen, Congress would also have to give their approval, which seems unlikely given how difficult it is for them to pass even basic legislation.
Living in Ontario, I’ve seen firsthand the frustration that many people in eastern Oregon feel. The laws passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature often don’t align with their values. In eastern Oregon, they complain about laws related to gun control, abortion, marijuana, and environmental regulations. However, it’s important to note that many of these counties, like Malheur, home to Ontario, have benefited from marijuana legalization, despite some initial opposition.
If eastern Oregon were to join Idaho, there would be some changes to accept. For one, Idaho has a sales tax, including on groceries, which Oregon doesn’t have. The teacher pay is also lower in Idaho compared to Oregon, and people may notice that the roads are better maintained once you cross into Oregon. These are things that people in eastern Oregon would have to consider if they truly wanted to make the move to Idaho.
For such a dramatic change to happen, it would require approval from both state legislatures, as well as Congress. And while Idaho might support the idea in principle, once it comes down to actual discussions, it’s hard to see the Legislature following through with it.
The Oregon Legislature would likely be even less inclined to entertain the idea. After all, the concept of moving a state border is a huge and unprecedented change. So while the billboards are an attention-grabber, the chances of this movement succeeding are slim.
In the end, despite the publicity stunt and the attention the Greater Idaho Movement has generated, the reality is that the billboards will probably have little effect on Oregon legislators. The response they’re likely to get from lawmakers is the same one that Idaho’s Democrats hear regularly: “If you don’t like it here, then move to another state.” The movement may have sparked some conversation, but the chances of them succeeding in their mission to change state lines seem unlikely.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.