By Dorothy Moon, IDGOP Chairwoman
October 20, 2023
| It’s election season yet again. Early voting starts on October 23rd, leading up to Election Day on November 7th. There are many important races on the ballot this year, so make a plan to go vote! Races for mayor, city council, school board, and other municipal offices are technically nonpartisan, so you won’t see party affiliation on the ballot. The original idea was that candidates for these positions would “rise above” party politics and work directly for their constituents. However, you and I both know that there is no such thing as “nonpartisan” anymore. Take a look at Boise, where the supposedly nonpartisan mayor flew the pride flag over city hall, pushed a city ordinance protecting abortion, and wasted more than half a million taxpayer dollars trying to find racism in the police department. It’s pretty clear which party she identifies with, isn’t it? That was why the Idaho Republican Party passed a resolution at the 2022 Summer Convention urging the Legislature to make ALL Idaho elections (except judges) partisan. Voters deserve the whole picture. Partisanship is not a bad word! On the contrary, it’s a clear way of identifying what principles a candidate stands for. If he wants to raise your taxes, grow government, set criminals free, promote abortion and child sex change surgeries, then he’s probably a Democrat, and he should proudly affiliate that way. On the other hand, a candidate who supports low taxes, small government, law and order, and protecting children should be proud to fly the Republican banner. Our platform stands for faith, family, and freedom, and we are not ashamed of that. Make no mistake, these elections matter. Your mayor, council members, and school board trustees have more influence over your quality of life than presidents or senators. They decide what your children are learning in school, how much you pay in property taxes, how much police coverage your community will have, and what kind of parks and amenities your family will enjoy. These local elected officials are also the most accessible. They are your neighbors, fellow parishioners, and the parents at your child’s school. You have a tremendous opportunity to get to know them and share your concerns. Ideology matters here too. A candidate’s principles show through in every situation, from managing a city budget to how they interact with the public. It is so important that you plan to vote in the upcoming election on November 7th. Whether you vote early (early voting begins this Monday!), vote by mail, or vote in person on Election Day, what is important is that you vote. Make your voice heard. Take an active role in shaping the future of your community. I cannot emphasize enough how important that is. |
