The Idaho Statesman is hosting a debate on Proposition 1, the citizens initiative on the November ballot that would dramatically change the way we select our elected officials. It will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7pm at Boise State University in Boise.

Proposition 1, also known as the open primaries initiative, would, if passed by a majority of voters on Nov. 5, create a multi-party open primary in which the top four vote-getters would advance to the general election. Then, in the general election, voters would rank all four candidates based on preference, otherwise known as ranked choice voting.

In successive rounds, the lowest vote-getter would be eliminated, and their votes would go to the voter’s next highest choice until two candidates remain. The candidate with more votes wins.

Debating in favor of the initiative will be Luke Mayville, spokesperson for the group Idahoans for Open Primaries.

Debating against the initiative is Trent England of Save Our States.

Idaho Statesman Opinion Editor Scott McIntosh will be moderating. The debate is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on the Boise State University campus. They have a room lined up as of this writing, but it is subject to change. 

This will be like the Munk Debates, in a more traditional format with arguments for and against and rebuttals. We also plan to take a poll at the beginning of the debate and then a poll after the debate.

This promises to add to the discussion in a constructive way and help voters to make a decision when they head to the ballot box.