(SALEM, Ore.) On Tuesday, five counties in Eastern Oregon voted in support of considering joining Idaho, The Oregonian reports.
Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman counties joined Union and Jefferson counties, which had previously voted to require county officials to promote and look into joining Idaho.
Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho wants to move Oregon’s eastern and southern counties, as well as a number of northern California counties, into Idaho. The grassroots group believes that the mostly rural counties would be better served by Idaho’s more conservative political alignment.
“This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon,” lead petitioner Mike McCarter said in a statement. “If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature won’t hold our counties captive against our will. If we’re allowed to vote for which government officials we want, we should be allowed to vote for which government we want as well.”
This proposition is unlikely as both the Oregon and Idaho legislatures would have to vote on it, as well as the U.S. Congress.