Raúl Labrador's Fight Against Election Integrity

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s time in office has been marked by a series of legal failures, all seemingly aimed at keeping the far right’s control over Idaho’s politics intact. Labrador, who campaigned to fight liberal influences and election integrity, has shown his true loyalty to the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) and its far-right allies rather than focus on important issues that matter to Idahoans.

Labrador's ongoing fight against the Proposition 1 ballot initiative is a perfect example.

This initiative seeks to open Idaho’s primary elections to all voters through a nonpartisan top-four primary system and to introduce ranked-choice voting in general elections. If passed, it would dismantle the current closed primary system, which has allowed the far-right to dominate Idaho politics by limiting voter participation. Labrador’s attempt to block Proposition 1 from appearing on the November ballot was recently dismissed by the Idaho Supreme Court, a decision that upholds the integrity of the legal system.

“The attorney general’s petition fundamentally misapprehends the role of this court under the Idaho Constitution and the role of the secretary of state under the initiative laws enacted by the Idaho Legislature.” - Justice Robyn M. Brody

This major legal defeat is just the latest in a series of setbacks highlighting Labrador’s use of his office to push a narrow, ideological agenda. Labrador has shown a disregard for legal norms and the rule of law, from his failed attempt to rewrite the open primary ballot initiative title to his repeated lawsuits against Idaho agencies and officeholders he represents. He’s tried to hide the expensive resources blown on failed legal crusades by taking credit for successful legal settlements initiated through cases brought by his predecessor, Lawrence Wasden.

The legal attacks on voter rights reveal their political strategy: Labrador and the IFF political machine are working overtime to undermine democratic processes to maintain control over Idaho’s political system. Their product is loyal legislative votes, and delivering bad bills that benefit their donors keeps them in business.

There is nothing conservative about pushing corporate welfare programs that line the pockets of donors who fuel IFF’s political machine.

The closed primary system, which Proposition 1 seeks to change, currently restricts primary elections to voters affiliated with specific parties, effectively excluding hundreds of thousands of Idahoans, especially those who are unaffiliated. This system has allowed far-right candidates, often backed by the IFF, to win primaries with support from a small, ideologically similar group, leaving the broader electorate with little choice in general elections.

Their ability to waste resources fighting culture wars and dismantling our public schools is dependent on limiting who gets to vote in an election process they control. And to add insult to injury, they are pushing for their loyal party bosses to administer purity tests to decide who you can even vote for.

Remember, Idaho used to have open primary elections. A dozen years ago, Labrador’s allies fought hard to close the primaries, ushering in the era of extreme confrontational tactics that enabled the IFF political machine to game the new system and engineer narratives to win loyal legislative seats.

The outcome of Proposition 1 could be a turning point for Idaho’s election system. Allowing all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to have a say in all elections will restore integrity and transparency in our state elections. For the first time in a long time, voters would be represented by legislators who actually care about essential issues that matter to all Idahoans.

Labrador and his friends at the IFF are determined to stop this political existential threat. They fear that empowering voters will weaken their ability to pass legislation that benefits their out-of-state donors and Christian Nationalist partners.

They despise informed voters. They know that the fewer people who show up to vote, the fewer voters they need to manipulate with their out-of-state campaign partners who use misinformation tactics to get their people elected. They believe you are too stupid to pay attention to their game. Labrador has signaled he will continue to take action to protect this closed-off process through any means necessary, including filing bogus lawsuits like this one.

Labrador and his cronies know that if Proposition 1 passes, his chances of being elected Governor are over.

What is Proposition 1?

Proposition 1 is a ballot initiative designed to restore integrity to Idaho’s elections, making them more open and inclusive. Idaho’s closed primary system currently allows only party-affiliated voters to participate, which the far-right faction of the Idaho GOP has used to enforce "purity tests," excluding moderate and common-sense conservatives from running. This has enabled extremist candidates to narrowly win and ignore the needs of the vast majority of Idahoans.

Proposition 1 would change this by implementing a nonpartisan top-four primary, where the top four candidates advance to the general election regardless of party. This would give all voters, including the many unaffiliated, a voice in selecting candidates.

The initiative also introduces ranked-choice voting, where voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate wins a majority, the least popular is eliminated, and an instant run-off using 2nd and third-choice preferences is implemented until a majority is achieved. Ranked-choice voting discourages the negative campaign tactics often used by the far right, as candidates must appeal to a broader audience to earn second—and third-choice votes. 

Ranked-choice voting is kryptonite for those who’ve relied on confrontational tactics, gaslighting, and misinformation to suppress moderate voter turnout.

Passing Proposition 1 is crucial for restoring integrity in Idaho’s election process, ensuring that elected officials represent the interests of all voters, not just a narrow, extreme minority.

About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong Conservative Republican whose articles often criticize the hypocrisy committed by far-right grifters who’ve taken control of the GOP. Graf is the CEO of Snake River Strategies, a communications and political consulting firm based in Eagle, Idaho.

Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in the exercise of their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding—are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.

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