Idaho Elected Officials Talk to Prop 1 Volunteers at Western Idaho Fair as Lawsuit Looms. By Greg Pruett (08/27/24)

idahodispatch.com/idaho-elected-officia…

Idaho State Sen. Tammy Nichols (R-Middleton) and Ada County Commissioner Ryan Davidson (R) attended the Western Idaho Fair on August 22. While there, they asked volunteers at the “Yes on Prop 1” ballot initiative booth to explain the initiative.

The legislators, posing as potential voters asking reasonable questions, left the booth feeling the same confusion that everyday voters might have about Prop 1 and Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The volunteers were unable to clearly explain the initiative simply because it’s so complex that it defies explanation.

Nichols comments:

“After my engagement with the booth it made more sense as to why several states who have RCV are now trying to get rid of it. It’s complicated and confusing both in explanation and process.”

…

“I think the booth workers were trying their best to explain Prop 1/ RCV to me, but if something is that complex or confusing just to explain, then you are guaranteed it will be chaotic if it’s implemented.”

Idaho’s Attorney General Labrador has filed a lawsuit against the initiative in district court after the Idaho Supreme Court dismissed the suit on procedural grounds. In other words, the ball must be played in the district court first before it can be tossed to the Idaho Supreme Court. (We hope the district court does the right thing and the misleading initiative is removed from the ballot.)

The article includes full video of Nichols’ and Davidson’s encounter.

• For more information see Jungle Primaries & Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Ballot Initiative: A Race to the Bottom: eolson47.substack.com/p/jungle-primarie…