Will HALF of Oregon leave and join Idaho? (Greater Idaho explained)

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The Greater Idaho Project in the United States is probably one of the most unusual secessionist movements currently on the rise. It is not driven by Idahoans, but by the mostly conservative inhabitants of rural Eastern Oregon. For them, shifting the Idaho-Oregon border westward represents an opportunity to leave Democrat governed Oregon in favour of Republican governed Idaho.

In 2020, a group named "Citizens for Greater Idaho - Move Oregon's border" formed, which set out to achieve this goal. And they had some impressive successes: At the time of the making of this video, a total of 13 Oregon counties has voted in favour of seceding from Oregon to instead join Idaho, with the most recent vote having occurred in 2024 in Crook County. However, changing the Idaho-Oregon border is not that simple. It requires the consent of several legislative bodies through a process known as an interstate compact.

But why do some Eastern Oregonians support this secessionist movement? How could they actually achieve this difficult goal? And if they eventually do, would it make reduce political polarization in the US? Or would shifting the border actually contribute to it and lead to more such separatist movements that segregate US-citizens along political lines?
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Music:

"Cafe Regrette" by Asher Fulero
(YouTube Audio-library)

"Blue Ribbons" by TrackTribe
(YouTube Audio-library)

"Simple Gifts" by Cooper Cannell
(YouTube Audio-library)

"Colonel Bogey March" by U.S. Coast Guard Band
(YouTube Audio-library)
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Sources (That are not featured directly in the video):

Greater Idaho Movement Website (2024)

Preston Joiner (2024) Greater Idaho: Oregon's Modern Decline

Jeffrey B. Litwak, Elise Koepke (2023) Developments in Interstate Compact Law and Practice 2023

For more information about other sources I used, feel free to email me.
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#idaho #oregon #secession

[MCCamels]

And we are SURE they ain't faking it just so they can change Idaho's borders into a middle finger for the memes?

[markgisborne]

Year: 2027.
The Idaho Empire has invaded Brazil.

[billberg]

So, basically, they need to convince Oregon they're a major burden, while also convincing Idaho they're a major asset. That sounds difficult.

[Emanon...]

If they can do that, can we all vote to remove one of the Dakotas?
No one ever asked for or needed two Dakotas

[mjmclaugh]

I'm really impressed how well you represented each side. You gave pros and cons brought up by both sides without imputtung your own opinion. This is what history/news needs to be more like

[BoyNamedSue]

Oregon native here. Eastern Oregon has been trying to leave since before WWII

[Hamsteak]

There would be a change in congressional seats and state senators seats. Oregon would loose power and Idaho would gain. But would be easier to govern the state itself tho

[unciuncia]

To be clear here, as an Oregonian. None of the counties as voted to leave. They have voted to form committees or to direct county leadership to explore the option.

[dragonstryk]

The central problem really comes down to something I've observed living here in Portland, and it's this: "Whatever Portland wants, Oregon gets". If every single citizen in the state of OR voted against a measure, doesn't matter what it is, and Portland votes yes, it passes. There's no balance other than relying on Portland to 'play nice'.

[airplaneBN]

A warning to Michigan from Wisconsin:
We're taking the U.P.
We won't tell you when,
But we're taking it. That is OUR land.

[MrJethroha]

States are sovereign, counties are not. The only way this could happen is with a statewide referendum in both Oregon and Idaho, and Congress approving it. Neither state's legislature would do it themselves.

[MrOfficial]

If I lived in a rural part of my state, and people who've never seen a cow in person try telling me how to take care of my cow, I'd be pretty pissed.

[fritztogo]

Long time, no see. Glad to hear something from you!

[jadekeglovitz]

As an Oregonian, this perhaps one of the best deconstructions I have found on the matter. Our state continues to be a prime example of geopolitical division in the US. I’d be curious if you’d be interested in exploring another fascinating movement (the State of Jefferson) that directly influenced the Greater Idaho 2022 revision that you mentioned here 7:17. Excellent video! Keep up the good work!

[marklentz]

It's emblematic of the growing rural/urban divide. I've seen it here in Oregon, and in Colorado and in Minnesota and Wisconsin. There's a lot of resentment. Rurals, in particular, really want to be left alone. The way of life is vastly different between both groups. And because of the concentration of power in urban areas, rurals feel completely ignored politically, or worse, lectured. I don't have an answer other than government greatly shrinking its scope of influence, which probably isn't happening in my lifetime.

[mostlyjoe]

There's actually a counter movement in Idaho saying they don't want to take on the debts and responsibility of Eastern Oregon because Idaho doesn't have the financial capability to suddenly add 300, 000 individuals smoothly. And I'm sure Oregon doesn't want to have to pay the offset cost.

[maxfieldjoyner]

As someone who actually lives in Oregon, this is a really good summary of what's happened so far and why Greater Idaho becoming reality is so unlikely.

[antagnist]

All fun and games until blue western Mississippi sees this and tries to create a state of their own

[Napalmdog]

Also of note; The most profitable Cannabis shop in Oregon? Seven miles from the border with Idaho.

[GoreTorn]

Please don't take this the wrong way @Politics with Paint, but this is my first video watched on your channel and when I first heard your accent, I thought to myself: "Oh god, another European whos going to butcher the pronunciation of my State and tout a bunch of false "facts". Well, I was wrong. You nailed it sir! I have been following the Oregon/Idaho border movement for many years now and it is fascinating to me. I kind of hope it passes because it would really change things for the better. You've earn a new sub my friend.