Several Counties in a Major Democratic State Seek to Join a Republican One

The Greater Idaho movement has gained significant relevance in Oregon in recent years, as several counties in the eastern part of the state seek to join Idaho, a neighboring and more conservative state.

The movement began to gain traction in 2020 when measures were proposed in several counties to explore the possibility of moving the border between the two states.

This month, Republican lawmakers in Oregon introduced HB 3844, which would create a task force to study the implications of moving the border and present a report to the state legislature.

The main proponent of this movement, Mike McCarter, president of Greater Idaho, expressed that this initiative seeks to give a voice to the residents of eastern Oregon, who do not feel represented by the Oregon state government, which is much more liberal and progressive.

McCarter argues that if the state of Oregon truly believes in democracy, it should respect the will of the voters in eastern Oregon and move forward with the border change.

This movement aims to create a "win-win" situation for both states, where the citizens of the affected territories would be better politically represented, thus reducing political tensions.

The proposal to move the border involves creating an "interstate compact," which is an agreement between states to modify territorial boundaries. Such changes are not unprecedented in United States history.

A notable example is the creation of West Virginia in 1863, when 55 counties in western Virginia separated from the original state during the Civil War to join the Union, thus forming a new state.

Other attempts to change borders have occurred in different states, such as in Illinois and Iowa, where some counties seek to join nearby states that share stronger political affinities.

The Greater Idaho proposal is currently in an early stage, with the bills being evaluated in the relevant committees of the state legislature.

Despite the lack of responses from the governors of Oregon and Idaho, the idea has gained support in Oregon's conservative sectors, especially in the rural areas of the eastern part of the state, where residents feel distant from the more liberal urban policies of Portland and other coastal cities.

The concept of changing state borders has also resonated in other parts of the country, such as in Staten Island, New York, which has had secession or separation movements from New York City for decades.

The residents of Staten Island, a borough that feels marginalized by the city and state government, have attempted several times to gain independence or at least a more autonomous status.

The secession proposal reached its peak in 1993, when Staten Island voters supported separation by a wide margin, but the initiative was rejected by the Democratic majority in Albany.

Despite this failure, secession sentiments have resurfaced in recent years, especially after New York City implemented additional taxes, such as the congestion tax, which affects Staten Island residents more.

The Greater Idaho movement reflects a growing dissatisfaction among rural Oregon residents with Portland's progressive government. These residents seek greater political representation and believe that joining Idaho could solve their frustrations.

While the idea of moving state borders is not new, its success will depend on legislative approval and the willingness of both states to negotiate this historic change.