In a recent interview with Neal Larson and Julie Mason on Newstalk 107.9, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane addressed ongoing legislative efforts to restore the state’s presidential primary. Following voter dissatisfaction with the caucus system used in the most recent cycle, McGrane emphasized his support for returning to a state-administered election, noting that primaries typically result in higher participation rates regardless of party efforts to drive caucus turnout.
McGrane highlighted two competing proposals currently under consideration in the Idaho Legislature. A bill introduced by Representative Kyle Harris would schedule the presidential primary for the first Tuesday in March. Conversely, a Senate proposal by Senator Guthrie would combine the presidential contest with the state primary in May, shifting the date to early May to maintain a consistent six-month window before the general election. While some argue a March primary would increase Idaho’s national relevance, McGrane expressed skepticism, noting that an earlier date does not always guarantee candidate attention or visits from high-profile figures.
The Secretary of State also discussed election security and voter data privacy. McGrane confirmed that while his office collaborates with federal partners like the Department of Homeland Security to verify voter eligibility through the SAVE database, he recently declined a request from the U.S. Department of Justice for Idaho’s voter data. He clarified that Idaho law does not authorize such a transfer and emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license data.
Regarding election integrity, McGrane detailed the implementation of Governor Brad Little’s “Only Citizens Can Vote Act.” He reported that his office successfully identified and prevented potential non-citizens from voting in 2024. These efforts resulted in 11 cases being referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution, contributing to a total of 17 voting-law enforcement actions over the past year. McGrane framed these actions as essential for maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.
Finally, McGrane touched on the need for campaign finance reform, citing the $17.6 million spent on Idaho legislative races in 2024. He argued that the state’s 1970s-era transparency laws need modernization to address the influx of out-of-state “dark money.” McGrane, who has filed for re-election and currently faces no primary opponent, stated he remains committed to traveling the state to engage with voters on these issues.
