What we’re reading: 5 more Oregon counties’ voters approve to secede to Idaho

Voters in 5 Oregon Counties Approve Moving Forward in Push to Move Idaho/Oregon Border

Big Country News – May 19, 2021

Five counties in eastern Oregon voted for becoming a part of Idaho on Tuesday. Voters approved ballot measures in Sherman, Lake, Grant, Baker, and Malheur counties. No counties voted against. On average, voters were 62% in favor of moving borders to include their counties in Idaho. Two additional Oregon counties had already voted in favor in November – Union and Jefferson.

Five Oregon counties have now voted to leave state, create ‘Greater Idaho’

Kyle Barnett with UPI – May 19, 2021

Any such change in the state’s boundaries would require ratification by the Oregon Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats. From there Oregon and Idaho would have to sign a formal agreement, which will then have to be ratified by the U.S. Congress.

Congress has only allowed for such a change on three instances, the last in 1863 when West Virginia was created during the Civil War.