Idaho Lawmakers Mull Restoring Presidential Primary After Dismal Caucus Turnout

Republican state lawmakers are considering reinstating the presidential primary election after Idaho's 2024 caucus saw only 7% voter turnout.

Mar. 7, 2026 at 11:20pm

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After Idaho's 2024 presidential caucus drew low voter turnout of just 7% of registered Republican voters, the state's Republican lawmakers are now considering reinstating the presidential primary election. Two competing bills have been introduced that would either hold the presidential primary in March or May, with the March bill requiring a $50,000 fee for candidates to appear on the ballot.

Why it matters

The shift to a caucus system in 2024 was intended to give more control to party activists, but the dismal turnout has led to concerns that it is 'estranging a lot of voters from the process.' Restoring the presidential primary could help boost voter participation in selecting the party's nominee.

The details

In 2023, the Idaho Legislature had seemingly unintentionally eliminated the presidential primary election through a bill. This led the state to switch to a caucus system for the 2024 presidential election, where only in-person voting was allowed at the Republican caucus. The low 7% turnout, compared to 26% in the 2020 primary, has now prompted lawmakers to consider reinstating the presidential primary.

  • Idaho held a presidential caucus in 2024 that saw only 7% of registered Republican voters participate.
  • The Idaho Legislature is considering bills to restore the presidential primary election ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

The players

Phil McGrane

Idaho's Republican Secretary of State, who told lawmakers the 2024 caucus turnout was 'dismal' and expressed support for restoring the presidential primary.

Rep. Kyle Harris

A Republican state lawmaker who has sponsored a bill to hold Idaho's presidential primary in March, with a $50,000 fee for candidates to appear on the ballot.

Sen. Jim Guthrie

A Republican state senator who has introduced a bill to hold Idaho's presidential primary in May, in tandem with the state's other primary elections.

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What they’re saying

“I've heard it resoundingly in my role that Idahoans want to be able to vote. Anything that the Legislature can do to restore the presidential primary to make that happen, I'm in support of.”

— Phil McGrane, Idaho Secretary of State

“The caucus 'estranges a lot of voters from the process.'”

— Sen. Jim Guthrie, Republican state senator

What’s next

The Idaho Legislature is expected to vote on the competing bills to restore the presidential primary election in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Idaho's shift to a caucus system in 2024 resulted in a dramatic drop in voter participation, prompting Republican lawmakers to reconsider restoring the presidential primary election. The debate centers on whether to hold the primary in March or May, with the March bill requiring a significant candidate fee.