BOISE, Idaho—Change was in the air in Idaho’s May 17 primary as voters went to the polls in fits and starts, looking to chart a new direction in state and national politics.
As it was with early voting that ended May 13, the voting was steady in one of downtown Boise’s main polling areas although not as heavy as it was during the 2020 presidential election, said chief judge of precinct Linda Stark.
However, there was some voter confusion with the state’s new redistricing rules, and some had to go to other locations to vote, Stark told The Epoch Times.
‘Huge Battle’ for Governor
“My issue is just keeping the Democrats having some voice in the legislature. I’m going to vote the Democrat line,” he said.On the political right, Grubbs acknowledged “a huge battle” waged among leading Republicans for governor Brad Little, the incumbent, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, and dark horse challenger Ed Humphreys.
“If I had my ‘druthers’, I’d probably vote for Little because I need more stability in my government. [Little] is not my favorite candidate, but he’s not completely unstable and off the rails,” Grubbs told The Epoch Times.
Grubbs said he considers this election crucial with the issues at play in government.
“What I find disturbing is the hypocrisy associated with more freedoms—less government, but then, at the same time, pending legislation that limits our freedoms,” he said. "That can be LGBTQ. That could be what’s going on with abortion rights [and] pro-choice.
“It’s as simple as recycling plastic bags in this city. We’re not allowed to do that in Idaho because of these blocker laws that this particular state government puts in place. I find that restrictive on a platform of more freedoms. I find the hypocrisy ironic.”
Richard West, a Republican, voted for McGeachin because “she’s conservative—she’s a Christian,” and Little is a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only).
Humphreys—“he’s a good conservative too,” West said. “But I think McGeachin is more well-known. That’s why I voted for her.”
Primary a Litmus Test for America
“Some of the [other] red states didn’t do [shutdowns] and did fine,” said West, who views the Idaho primary as a litmus test for the country as a whole.“I think we’re going to head more red—more conservative,” in Idaho.
“The whole country is going to go that way. We’re getting to the point where it’s getting down to the wire. The ones that aren’t conservative are running [away]—they’re done for.”
West blamed the Biden administration for economic inflation and ongoing product shortages—“the whole thing.”
“When Trump was in, we didn’t have any of this. They’re trying to make America into a Third World Country,” he said.
A woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Epoch Times she voted a straight Republican ticket and has for “quite a while.”
She voted for Brad Little for governor, considering him “a solid guy—stable.”
“He is what he is. He’s kind of the same guy that ran before [in 2018]—not crazy. I think his opponent is nuts.”
Wearing a “Trump” cap, Timothy Conners voted for the straight Republican ticket and wanted to see a significant change in state and national government.
“We all do—just better things. We’ve got to stop the immigration thing and get our borders secure—just a general change. Let’s not go [with] communism, let’s not do it. I did that over in ‘Nam, and I don’t want that here,” Conners told The Epoch Times.
Another woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she voted for Little as a registered Independent.
“We want to make sure the candidates we thought were suitable for occupying political positions are in place,” she said.
Ann Carson, a Republican, said she voted for McGeachin because “I’ve heard her speak and I like what she says” regarding her conservative ideas and values.
Carson said she too thinks the 2022 primary elections are “of peak importance” given what’s at stake.
“We’re in a tragic mess in this country right now. I’m glad to get a chance to vote in November. I’m a proud Republican, and we need to get every Democrat out of here,” Carson told The Epoch Times.
Idaho is a “Christian Republican state—a red state,” she said. “That’s why I moved here [from Colorado]. The [political] balance of Idaho is still maintaining its integrity.”
“I was interested in the school board vote and no abortion,” Carson said. “I would say money is [significant], development of Boise is important, planning and zoning—housing.”
Outside The Cathedral of the Rockies polling place, Gabby Ponce stood alone holding a sign supporting Democrat Shelby Rognstad for Idaho governor.
“This is not my first time voting,” Ponce told The Epoch Times. “My reason is [that] as a woman, this is the most important thing to do. We fought for so long to even have a voice and vote in general.
“Honestly, my main concern is just the extremism in this state. It’s alive and well. There are just so many extremists running for office right now. My vote is to vote for choice.”
“They’re trying to rip away all choice from women in this state. It’s sad and it’s scary.
“Not only for women but the youth who are going to be living in the state, growing up in the state, and having children here.
“It’s incredibly important to have a choice,” she said.
