A grassroots Oregon group wants to join Idaho

Division in America is about as old as the country itself. Differing ideologies or philosophies were the reasons why some of the colonies ended up with the borders that they did.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising, around 250 years later, that political ideologies are once again driving some to try to change state borders. This time, it’s happening in the Pacific Northwest. What started as a “letter to the editor” in a local Oregon newspaper, is now the most robust grassroots secession movement in the country.

The group “Greater Idaho” wants Oregon’s rural eastern counties, more than 60% of the state’s total landmass, to become part of Idaho. The idea is garnering plenty of support in eastern Oregon. Non-binding resolutions in favor of secession were passed in nine of the 11 counties that put the issue up for a vote.

Two more Oregon counties have secession measures on the ballot this fall. Eastern Oregon is heavily Republican. In 2020, former President Donald Trump carried one county there with 80% of the vote. In fact, President Joe Biden won only 10 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Those 10 counties, however, included the Democratic stronghold of Portland.

Again, the idea of states seceding isn’t new. Kentucky used to be Virginia. Maine seceded from Massachusetts, and every year there’s a bill in Texas to secede from the Union.

So, while the idea to split Oregon in two might seem reasonable to many, it’s not likely to be a reality.

Not only would the move need to be approved by all 17 of the counties involved, both the Oregon and Idaho state legislatures would have to sign off on the plan before sending it to Congress.